“I told you that she was not here,” said the woman, a gleam of triumph shooting from her eyes, and her manner exhibiting relief.
“She must be found!” Mr. Dainty spoke with agitation. “We are on her track, and only need to persevere. This is one of her haunts; and to this house my poor child was brought.”
“She will in all probability return here,” said the officer, “if what this woman states is true. But if she were really in the house at the time of our arrival, and made her escape out through the alley and court I have mentioned, we shall have to search for her in another direction. My advice is to send the carriage out of the neighborhood. If the woman should come back and see it standing before the door, she will take the alarm, and not enter.”
“Your suggestion is good,” remarked Mr. Dainty. “I will order the carriage around the square. The driver can wait for us in the next street.” And he went to the door and gave directions accordingly. Returning, Mr. Dainty said to the officer,—
“Shall we all remain here, or will you go for additional aid, so as to extend the search?”
“I think,” replied the officer, “that, as this woman is fully implicated in a very serious crime, I had better take her to the police-station. She is evidently a participant in the business, and shows great anxiety about the escape of her accomplice.”
Mrs. Weir’s sallow face changed to a more ashen hue at this suggestion.
“I do not know,” added the officer, speaking for effect, “that bail, under the circumstances, will be accepted. She will no doubt be imprisoned until all parties in this most horrible outrage are discovered. Her evidence in the case will be of too much importance for risk of absence, even under bail, to be taken.”
“Indeed, gentlemen,” said Mrs. Weir, now thoroughly frightened, “I am innocent in this matter. Mrs. Fordham, who brought the child here, is an entire stranger. I never saw her until very recently.”
“Where is she now? How can we trace her?” demanded the officer.