time bolstered up in her rocking-chair near the stove, while Miss
Mellins studied the Police Gazette beneath the lamp, there
came a knock on the shop-door and Mr. Hawkins entered.

Ann Eliza's first glance at his plain friendly face showed her
he had news to give, but though she no longer attempted to hide her
anxiety from Miss Mellins, her lips trembled too much to let her
speak.

"Good evening, Miss Bunner," said Mr. Hawkins in his dragging
voice. "I've been over to Hoboken all day looking round for Mrs.
Hochmuller."

"Oh, Mr. Hawkins--you HAVE?"

"I made a thorough search, but I'm sorry to say it was no use.
She's left Hoboken--moved clear away, and nobody seems to know
where."

"It was real good of you, Mr. Hawkins." Ann Eliza's voice
struggled up in a faint whisper through the submerging tide of her
disappointment.

Mr. Hawkins, in his embarrassed sense of being the bringer of
bad news, stood before her uncertainly; then he turned to go. "No
trouble at all," he paused to assure her from the doorway.

She wanted to speak again, to detain him, to ask him
to advise her; but the words caught in her throat and she lay back
silent.