convict--been transported for robbing his employer."

Pale, breathless, Darrell listened, not unheeding now. "What was the
name of--of--"

"The convict? He called himself Chapman, but the son's name was Losely--
Jasper."

"Ah!" faltered Darrell, recoiling. "And you spoke of a little girl?"

"Jasper Losely's daughter; he came after her with a magistrate's warrant.
The old miscreant had carried her off,--to teach her his own swindling
ways, I suppose."

"Luckily she was then in my charge. I gave her back to her father, and
the very respectable-looking lady he brought with him. Some relation, I
presume."

"What was her name, do you remember?"

"Crane."

"Crane!--Crane!" muttered Darrell, as if trying in vain to tax his
memory with that name. "So he said the child was his daughter--are you
sure?"

"Oh, of course he said so, and the lady too. But can you be acquainted
with their, sir?"

"I?--no! Strangers to me, except by repute. Liars--infamous liars! But