“I don’t understand what you mean,” said Jack, mystified.

“Then I will take the trouble to explain it to you.  As I informed your father and mother, when in New York, there are circumstances which stand in the way of Ida’s real mother recognizing her as her own child.  Still, as she desires her company, in order to avert all suspicion, and prevent embarrassing questions being asked, while she remains in Philadelphia she is to pass as my daughter.”

This explanation was tolerably plausible, and Jack was unable to gainsay it, though it was disagreeable to him to think of even a nominal connection between Ida and the woman before him.

“Can I see Ida?” asked Jack, at length.

To his great joy, Peg replied, “I don’t think there can be any objection.  I am going to the house now.  Will you come now, or appoint some other time?”

“I will go now by all means,” said Jack, eagerly.  “Nothing should stand in the way of seeing Ida.”

A grim smile passed over the nurse’s face.

“Follow me, then,” she said.  “I have no doubt Ida will be delighted to see you.”

“Dear Ida!” said Jack.  “Is she well, Mrs. Hardwick?”

“Perfectly well,” answered Peg.  “She has never been in better health than since she has been in Philadelphia.”

“I suppose,” said Jack, with a pang, “that she is so taken up with her new friends that she has nearly forgotten her old friends in New York.”

“If she did,” said Peg, sustaining her part with admirable self-possession, “she would not deserve to have friends at all.  She is quite happy here, but she will be very glad to return to New York to those who have been so kind to her.”

“Really,” thought Jack; “I don’t know what to make of this Mrs. Hardwick.  She talks fair enough, if her looks are against her.  Perhaps I have misjudged her, after all.”

CHAPTER XIX.

Caught in A Trap.

Jack and his guide paused in front of a three-story brick building of respectable appearance.

“Docs Ida’s mother live here?” interrogated Jack.

“Yes,” said Peg, coolly.  “Follow me up the steps.”

The woman led the way, and Jack followed.

The former rang the bell.  An untidy servant girl made her appearance.

“We will go up-stairs, Bridget,” said Peg.

Without betraying any astonishment, the servant conducted them to an upper room, and opened the door.

“If you will go in and take a seat,” said Peg, “I will send Ida to you immediately.”

She closed the door after him, and very softly slipped the bolt which had been placed on the outside.  She then hastened downstairs, and finding the proprietor of the house, who was a little old man with a shrewd, twinkling eye, and a long aquiline nose, she said to this man, who was a leading spirit among the coiners into whose employ she and her husband had entered, “I want you to keep this lad in confinement, until I give you notice that it will be safe to let him go.”