"Why should he say she didn't die, if she did die?" inquired Maggie, very innocently.
"Why should he? Why, indeed?" repeated Fitz, amazed at her obtuseness. "Don't you see that, if the child died, the block of stores belongs to my mother? But it makes no difference now," sighed Mr. Wittleworth, "for my mother, contrary to my advice, contrary to my solemn protest, sold out all her right in the premises for a mere song."
"But where is the child now?"
"Dead!" replied Fitz, in a sepulchral tone.
"Mr. Checkynshaw does not say so," persisted André. "What does he say about the child?"
"He says the child was taken by the Sisters of Charity, and that he found her in one of their nunneries or schools; but of course that is all bosh."
Mr. Wittleworth had told his story, and having done so, he tore himself away, leaving André very thoughtful.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE TWO MARGUERITES.