“Yes,—ten gold dollars. Now move on their track like lightning! But stay! You are to report yourself at my house, the number of which is on this card. Let us hear from you speedily. Now, away!”
The boy disappeared from the door and went flying down the street.
Still pursuing his inquiries, Mr. Fleetwood met with others who confirmed the boy’s statement that a child, resembling Madeline, had been seen in company with an old woman dressed in black. This caused him to visit the Chief of Police and secure his efficient aid in the matter, thus putting in operation the most vigilant means of discovery.
It was nearly an hour after Mr. Fleetwood left the house, when, disappointed in any good result, he returned to the anxious, frightened family, to meet pale, tearful faces and trembling inquiry. Mr. Dainty and the servants had also been in search of the lost one, but their search had proved quite as fruitless. The boy who had hoped to gain the reward of ten dollars had likewise reported himself. He had spent an hour in vain.
Night came down upon the fearfully-disturbed inmates of Mr. Dainty’s family, and yet Madeline was absent. Nothing whatever could be learned in regard to her, except the single fact mentioned by the boy, and confirmed by others, that a little girl resembling her had been seen in company with an old woman dressed in black.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE SEARCH.
“It is nearly a week since Mr. Fleetwood was here,” said Mrs. Elder, as she placed her workbasket on the table and drew up a chair.
Florence, who had just brought in a lighted lamp, sighed, but made no answer to the remark.
“He seemed more than disappointed, I thought, at your persistent refusal to make any advances toward a reconciliation with Mrs. Dainty,” added Mrs. Elder.
“Yes: he was offended.” There was a touch of sadness in the low voice of Florence Harper.