“But you know it all, madame.  You were thinking about it to-night, were you not?”

“I was, I was,” and the woman buried her face in her hands.

Presently she lifted her head.

“Where is the boy?” she asked in a hoarse whisper.  “Is he alive?”

“And so you are interested in him, madame?”

“Interested?  Why, he is with me night and day.  Though he must be a young man now, yet I always see him as the little babe I held to my breast.  If you know where he is, tell me.  I must see him somehow, though he must never know who I am.”

“What about the girl, your daughter?” the man questioned.  “She must be a comfort to you now, and well takes the place of—­of your son.”

“Nothing can ever take his place,” the woman vehemently declared.  I thought so once, fool that I was.  But I know better now when it is too late.  Where is he?  For God’s sake, tell me!”

“And you have had no word from him?” the man asked.

“Nothing.  I do not even know the woman’s name who took him.  I thought I would never want to know.”

“Then, madame, it is better for you to remain in ignorance.  It would do you no good now to learn anything about him.  I, at any rate, shall not enlighten you.”

“You won’t?”

“No, not now.”

“Then why have you come here to-night to inflict this torture upon me?  What good can it do to increase the agony of my tormented soul?  Surely I have endured enough already.”

“I come, madame, merely as a stand-between.  Business with me has been dull of late, as I have just told you.  Therefore, when one door closes another opens.  I am not a man to let a good opportunity of earning a few honest dollars slip.  I know your story, and, accordingly, am here to receive payment.”

“Payment!  For what?” the woman asked in amazement.

“For silence.  I suppose you don’t want this matter known?”

“Good heavens, no!  What would my husband and daughter think?  Why, I could never face the world again.”

“Very well, madame.  I am pleased to know that you realise the situation,” and the man smiled blandly upon his victim.  He was succeeding much better than he had expected.  “I shall see that this matter is kept a profound secret.”

“Oh, will you?” and the woman looked her relief.

“Indeed I will, providing you make it worth while.  I am always open for business.”

The woman looked keenly at the man.

“Do I understand that you want to be paid for keeping silent?” she at length found voice to ask.

“Certainly.  That’s what I’m here for.  Business is business, remember, and if I cannot make a living at my regular profession, I must turn to the next best thing that offers.”

“But this is a hold-up.  Are you not afraid to do such a thing?”

“Afraid!  Of what?”

The sudden flush that mantled the woman’s face plainly showed that she understood.  The man noted it, and smiled.