Well, perhaps you remember that Kalmar escaped from the penitentiary, and has not been heard of since.
His wife and children have somehow come under the power of this Rosenblatt again.

He has got a mortgage on her house and forces the woman to do his will.

The woman is a poor stupid creature, and she has just slaved away for this man.

The boy is different.

He is a fine handsome little fellow, thirteen or fourteen years old, who makes his living selling newspapers and, I am afraid, is learning a great many things that he would be better without.' "Which is true of more than him," growled Jack.