“Is this Mrs. Clifton?” he inquired.
“It is.”
“Then I have a message for you.”
The lady inclined her head.
“You must know, madam, that I am one of the officers connected with the City Prison. A woman was placed in confinement this morning, who says she has a most important communication to make to you, but declines to make it except to you in person.”
“Can you bring her here, sir?”
“That is impossible. We will give you every facility, however, for visiting her in prison.”
“It must be Peg,” whispered Ida; “the woman that carried me off.”
Such a request Mrs. Clifton could not refuse. She at once made ready to accompany the officer. She resolved to carry Ida with her, fearful that, unless she kept her in her immediate presence, she might disappear again as before.
As Jack had not yet returned, a hack was summoned, and they proceeded at once to the prison. Ida shuddered as she passed beneath the gloomy portal which shut out hope and the world from so many.