The Angel’s face wore her most beautiful smile.

“I was sure of it,” she said winningly.  “That’s what we call him, and he is so like you, I doubt if any one of those three boys of yours are more so.  But it’s been twenty years.  Seems to me you’ve been a long time coming!”

Lord O’More caught the Angel’s wrists and his wife slipped her arms around her.

“Steady, my girl!” said the man’s voice hoarsely.  “Don’t make me think you’ve brought word of the boy at this last hour, unless you know surely.”

“It’s all right,” said the Angel.  “We have him, and there’s no chance of a mistake.  If I hadn’t gone to that Home for his little clothes, and heard of you and been hunting you, and had met you on the street, or anywhere, I would have stopped you and asked you who you were, just because you are so like him.  It’s all right.  I can tell you where Freckles is; but whether you deserve to know—­that’s another matter!”

Lord O’More did not hear her.  He dropped in his chair, and covering his face, burst into those terrible sobs that shake and rend a strong man.  Lady O’More hovered over him, weeping.

“Umph!  Looks pretty fair for Freckles,” muttered the Angel.  “Lots of things can be explained; now perhaps they can explain this.”

They did explain so satisfactorily that in a few minutes the Angel was on her feet, hurrying Lord and Lady O’More to reach the hospital.  “You said Freckles’ old nurse knew his mother’s picture instantly,” said the Angel.  “I want that picture and the bundle of little clothes.”

Lady O’More gave them into her hands.

The likeness was a large miniature, painted on ivory, with a frame of beaten gold.  Surrounded by masses of dark hair was a delicately cut face.  In the upper part of it there was no trace of Freckles, but the lips curving in a smile were his very own.  The Angel gazed at it steadily.  Then with a quivering breath she laid the portrait aside and reached both hands to Lord O’More.

“That will save Freckles’ life and insure his happiness,” she said positively.  “Thank you, oh thank you for coming!”

She opened the bundle of yellow and brown linen and gave only a glance at the texture and work.  Then she gathered the little clothes and the picture to her heart and led the way to the cab.

Ushering Lord and Lady O’More into the reception room, she said to McLean, “Please go call up my father and ask him to come on the first train.”

She closed the door after him.

“These are Freckles’ people,” she said to the Bird Woman.  “You can find out about each other; I’m going to him.”

CHAPTER XIX

Wherein Freckles Finds His Birthright and the Angel Loses Her Heart

The nurse left the room quietly, as the Angel entered, carrying the bundle and picture.  When they were alone, she turned to Freckles and saw that the crisis was indeed at hand.