indignation as in sorrow. The grief of the mother was louder, for she
wept audibly.

Ere the lapse of many minutes, the constable returned, and stated that
Nanse was not be found.

"She has not been at her master's house since morning," he observed,
"and they don't know where she is, or what has become of her."

The magistrate immediately despatched two of the constables, with strict
injunctions! to secure her, if possible.

"In the mean time," he added, "I will order you, Nell M'Collum, to be
strictly confined, until I ascertain whether she can be produced or not.
Your haunts may be searched with some hope of success, while you are in
durance; but I rather think we might seek for her in vain, if you were
at liberty to regulate her motions. I cannot expect," he added, turning
to the stranger, "that you should prosecute one so nearly related to
you, even if you had proof, which you have not; but I am almost certain,
that she has been someway or other concerned in the robbery. You are a
modest, interesting woman, and I regret the loss you have sustained. At
present there are no grounds for committing any of the parties charged
with the robbery. This unhappy woman I commit only as a vagrant, until
her niece is found, after that we shall probably be able to see somewhat
farther into this strange affair."

"Something tells' me, sir," replied the stranger, "that this young man
is as innocent of the robbery as the child unborn. It's not my intention
ever to think of prosecuting him. What I have done in the matter was
against my own wishes."