puppet-show."

"Punch!" said Mr. Rugge; "not a doubt of it."

"In that case," observed Mrs. Crane, "they are probably not far off. Let
us print handbills, offering a reward for their clew, and luring the old
man himself by an assurance that the inquiry is made in order that he may
learn of something to his advantage."

In the course of the evening the handbills were printed. The next day
they were posted up on the walls, not only of that village, but on those
of the small towns and hamlets for some miles round. The handbills ran
invitingly thus, "If William Waife, who left--on the 20th ult., will
apply at the Red Lion Inn at -------, for X. X., he will learn of
something greatly to his advantage. A reward of L5 will be given to any
one who will furnish information where the said William Waife and the
little girl who accompanies him may be found. The said William Waife is
about sixty years of age, of middle stature, strongly built, has lost one
eye, and is lame of one leg. The little girl, called Sophy, is twelve
years old, but looks younger; has blue eyes and light brown hair. They
had with them a white French poodle dog. This bill is printed by the
friends of the missing party." The next day passed; no information: but
on the day following, a young gentleman of good mien, dressed in black,
rode into the town, stopped at the Red Lion Inn, and asked to see X. X.
The two men were out on their researches; Mrs. Crane stayed at home to
answer inquiries.

The gentleman was requested to dismount, and walk in. Mrs. Crane
received him in the inn parlour, which swarmed with flies. She stood in
the centre,--vigilant, grim spider of the place.