You left her presence,
determined to be revenged. With this object you sought Dick and
myself, and employed us to kidnap the child. There is the whole
story, briefly told."
John Somerville listened, with compressed lips and pale face.
"Woman, how came this within your knowledge?" he demanded, coarsely.
"That is of no consequence," said Peg. "It was for my interest to
find out, and I did so."
"Well?"
"I know one thing more--the residence of the child's mother. I
hesitated this morning whether to come here, or carry Ida to her
mother, trusting to her to repay from gratitude what I demand from
you, because it is your interest to comply with my request."
"You speak of carrying the child to her mother. She is in New York."
"You are mistaken," said Peg, coolly. "She is in Philadelphia."
"With you?"
"With me."
"How long has this been?"
"Nearly a fortnight."
John Somerville paced the room with hurried steps. Peg watched him
carelessly. She felt that she had succeeded. He paused after awhile,
and stood before her.
"You demand a thousand dollars," he said.
"I do."
"I have not that amount with me. I have recently lost a heavy sum,
no matter how. But I can probably get it to-day. Call to-morrow at
this time,--no, in the afternoon, and I will see what I can do for
you."
"Very well," said Peg.
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