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 here in the hall and keep the latch up, so that there'll be no delay if I send in for you or anything needed. Yes, Michael, you may go with me to help me up and down the steps, though you ought to be in bed. Yet come. It must be something serious for Mr. Smith to thus far forego his reserve."

Uncle Joe was waiting at the head of the stairs as Mrs. Merriman ascended them, with that activity upon which she prided herself, and asked:

"Are you in trouble, neighbor? What is it?"

"The little girl. I don't know whose even. Came to me, an express 'parcel,' and I haven't traced the blunder, found the right—no matter. This way, please. I'll explain later."

There was no trace of the gout left in the gentleman's movements as he preceded his neighbor to Josephine's room, where the child lay gasping, feverish, and clutching at her own throat in an agony of terror.

One glance, and Mrs. Merriman's shawl was tossed aside, and she had lifted the little sufferer in her arms, observing: