“You want to see Mrs. Middleton?” demanded the hotel clerk, surveying Mr. Rugg’s exterior.

Yes,” said the tramp.

I don’t think she’ll see one of your sort.”

“That’s where you’re mistaken, young feller.”

“You’re a strange visitor for a lady.”

“What if I am? There’s my card.”

The clerk took the card, and looked at it doubtfully. Then summoning an attendant, he said:

“Take this up to 57.”

Presently the servant returned.

The gentleman is to go up,” he said.

Rudolph looked at the clerk triumphantly.

What did I tell you?” he said.

Show the gentleman up,” said the clerk, purposely emphasizing the word.

As Rudolph entered the handsome parlor occupied by Mrs. Middleton, she said:

“Take a seat, sir.” Then to the attendant: “You may go. You are Rudolph Rugg?” she commenced when they were alone.

Yes, ma’am,” he answered; “and you are Miss Vincent, the governess. I haven’t forgotten you.”

“I am Mrs. Harvey Middleton,” she said haughtily.

Excuse me, ma’am. I hadn’t heard as you had changed your condition. You was the governess when I knowed you.”

“You never knew me,” she said.

Well, I knowed Mr. Harvey, at any rate.”

“That is not to the purpose. Do you know why I have sought you out?”

“I couldn’t guess, ma’am,” said Rudolph cunningly.

He could guess, but he wanted to force her to speak out.

Where is the boy? Is he living?”

“What boy?” asked Rudolph vacantly.

You know very well. Anthony Middleton, my husband’s cousin, whom you stole away when he was scarcely more than an infant.”

“Can you prove what you say, Miss Vincent—I mean Mrs. Middleton?”

“Yes. It is idle to beat about the bush. My husband has told me all.”

“Then he has told you that he hired me to carry the boy off, in order that he might inherit the estate?”

“Yes, he told me that,” she answered composedly.

Well, I didn’t think he’d own up to that.”

“My husband and I had no secrets.”

“What does he want of the boy now?” asked Rudolph.

It is I that want to find the boy.”

“Without his knowledge?”

“If you refer to my husband, he is dead.”

“Well, I didn’t expect that. Who has got the estate?”

“I have.”

The tramp whistled. Here was a poor governess, who had succeeded in life with a vengeance. When he knew her she was not worth fifty pounds in the world. Now she was mistress of a fine English estate, with a rental of two thousand pounds.

Wasn’t there no heirs?” he asked.

Only this boy.”

“And if this boy was alive, would the estate be his?”

The lady paused, meanwhile fixing her eyes steadily upon the man before her. Then she approached him and placed her jeweled hand on his arm.

Rudolph Rugg,” she said, “do you want to be comfortable for life?”

“Yes, ma’am, that’s exactly what I do want.”

“It will come to you now if you say the word,” she said.

I’ll say it quick enough. Tell me what you............