WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 117

 

“You will, then, resort to stratagem or force ?”’

‘One or the other—perhaps both. The child we
must have.”

“Let me beg of you, Jasper, to be prudent.
There is a great deal at stake.”

‘‘T know there is; and the risk increases with
every moment of delay.”

Grind showed a marked degree of anxiety.

“Tf the child were in our possession now,”’ said
Jasper, “or, which is the same, could be produced
when wanted, how soon might an order for the sale
be procured ?”’

“In two or three weeks, I think,” replied the
lawyer.

“Certain preliminary steps are necessary ?””

‘Ves. |

“Tf these were entered upon forthwith, how soon
would the child be wanted ?”

“Tn about ten days.”

“Very well. Begin the work at once. When
the child is needed, I will see that she is forthcoming.
Trust me for that. I never was foiled yet in any
thing that I set about accomplishing, and I will not
suffer myself to be foiled here.”

With this understanding, Jasper and the lawyer
parted.

A week or more passed, during which time Claire
heard nothing from the guardian of Fanny ; and
both he and his wife began to hope that no further
attempt to get her into his possession would be made,
until the child had reached her twelfth year.

It was in the summer-time, and Mrs. Claire sat,
late in the afternoon of a pleasant day, at one of