Twenty minutes after the departure of James Peake, the detective, this woman knocked at the door of the poorhouse.
Her summons was answered by Mrs. Fogson.
"What's wanted?" asked the poorhouse matron, looking inquisitively at the new arrival.
"Is there a boy named Jed Gilman living here?" asked the woman eagerly.
"Jed Gilman again!" repeated Mrs. Fogson. "What do you want of Jed Gilman?"
"Answer my question first, if you please."
"Such a boy was living here till lately, but he became very troublesome and finally ran away."
"Then he is not here now?" said the woman, looking very much disappointed.
"No, but I expect he'll have to come back some time. A bad penny generally returns. You haven't told me what you have to do with him?"