My safety lies in getting down to the truth of this wild fancy, as you call it.

It has taken such possession of me that nothing but certainty can give me rest.

Will you help me ?" "How can I help you?
I have no clue to this sad mystery." "Mystery! Then you are as much in the dark as I am--know no more of what became of my baby than I do! Oh, father, how could you let such a thing be done, and ask no questions--such a cruel and terrible thing--and I lying helpless and dumb?
Oh, father, my innocent baby cast out like a dog to perish--nay, worse, like a lamb among wolves to be torn by their cruel teeth--and no one to put forth a hand to save! If I only knew that he was dead! If I could find his little grave and comfort my heart over it!" Weak, naturally good men, like Mr.Dinneford, often permit great wrongs to be done in shrinking from conflict and evading the sterner duties of life.

They are often the faithless guardians of immortal trusts.
There was a tone of accusation and rebuke in Edith's voice that smote painfully on her father's heart.

He answered feebly: "What could I do?
How should I know that anything wrong was being done?
You were very ill, and the baby was sent away to be nursed, and then I was told that it was dead." "Oh, father! Sent away without your seeing it! My baby! Your little grandson! Oh, father!" "But you know, dear, in what a temper of mind your mother was--how impossible it is for me to do anything with her when she once sets herself to do a thing." "Even if it be murder!" said Edith, in a hoarse whisper.
"Hush, hush, my child! You must not speak so," returned the agitated father.
A silence fell between them.