'No; I never knew him,' was the reply. 'I have heard his name, and I
know where he once lived--not far from here.'

'You're wondering what has brought me to you. I have heard of you
from people a grandchild of mine is living with. I dare say it is
the house you mean--in Clerkenwell Close.'

'So you have found it!' exclaimed Sidney with pleasure. 'I've been
looking about for you as I walked along the streets these last two
or three days.'

'Looking for me?' said the other, astonished.

Sidney supplied the explanation, but without remarking on the
circumstances which made Jane so anxious to discover a possible
friend. Snowdon listened attentively, and at length, with a slight
smile; he seemed to find pleasure in the young man's way of
expressing himself. When silence ensued, he looked about absently
for a moment; then, meeting Sidney's eyes, said in a grave voice:

'That poor child is very ill.'

'Ill? I'm sorry to hear it.'

'The reason I've come to you, Mr. Kirkwood, is because she's called
out your name so often. They don't seem able to tell me how she came
into this state, but she's had a fright of some kind, or she's been
living very unhappily. She calls on your name, as if she wanted you
to protect her from harm. I didn't know what to think about it at