find the child in the crowds that thronged the streets would have
availed nothing. Hoping that Peppo would join his companions and
return with them, the good Father waited, but in vain. He neither came
with the boys, nor later by himself.

On the following morning Father Somazzo received a visit from Mr.
Black, the lawyer, whom he had consulted concerning the guardianship of
Willy. He came to report that he believed he had sufficient proof to
ask the court to take Willy away from John Brown, and also to cause his
imprisonment. He had through agents sought out the sailors dismissed
from the "St. George", and from them not only learned of the life of
John Brown in Dublin, but also of the peculiar circumstances attendant
upon his brother's death at sea. Mr. Black asked whether he should
prosecute, adding: "Whatever is done, must be done quickly, for I am
told that the 'St. George' will sail to-morrow morning, or the morning
after at the latest, for Australia with three hundred Chinaman on
board."

Father Somazzo signed the necessary papers, then told of little Peppo's
disappearance, and his conjecture that he had been carried off by a
Chinaman named Lihoa, who claimed to be a relative.

"I'll wager ten to one, this Lihoa is one of the greedy Chinamen who is
going to sail on the 'St. George'," said Mr. Black. "Let's go down to
the office of the Chief of Police, and, if my conjecture is true, we'll
find the people we want on board the 'St. George'--'kill two birds with
one stone', as the old saying has it. Be quick, Father, get your hat
and walking stick and come with me. We haven't a moment to lose."

The two men hurried down to the harbor. The Chief of Police received