"Well, the line runs crossways: it don't follow the child was in
our parish."

"Oh, nonsense! there's no doubt about it! We can't take the
child in. You must carry it away again."

Mr. Snigger turned to leave the room.

"Wait a bit, sir," said Mr. Doll; "I shall leave the child here,
and you can do as you like with it. It ain't mine, at all
events. I say it lay in your parish; and if you don't look after
it you may be the worse of it. The coroner's sure to try to earn
his fees. Good-night."

He hurried from the room.

"Stop!" shouted the master, "I say: I don't accept the child.
You leave it here at your own risk. We keep it without
prejudice, remember-- without prejudice, sir!--without----"

Mr. Doll was in the street and out of hearing.



II.--A Board of Guardians.

The Guardians of St. Bartimeus met the day after Mr. Doll's
clever stratagem. Among other business was a report from the
master of the workhouse that a child, name unknown, found by Mr.