"
"What's the title, or, rather, the subject?" her husband inquired.
"Oh, it opens with a ship-wreck--not a collision but a fire was the
cause. Among the passengers are many children--of high and low
degree--and they get mixed up--fall into wrong persons' hands,--
fathers and mothers are lost and cannot claim them, and their future
lives have supplied me with the strongest and most intricate and
exciting plot that I have ever constructed."
"Which is the 'star' child?"
"He is the son of a Russian Grand Duke--the offspring of a morganatic
marriage--his mother is driven from the country by order of the Czar.
The title is _The Son of Sergius_."
They did not remain in New York but took the first train for Boston.
They were driven to the Mount Vernon Street house.
"I knew you were coming," cried Maude, as she ran eagerly down the
steps to meet them.
"Who has turned traitor? I pledged them all to secrecy," cried
Quincy.
"Harry told me, and I had a cablegram from Florence."
"Did she use my name? If so, we are undone and the reporters will
swarm like bees."
"You are safe," said Maude. "The message read: Brother found. Keep
quiet."
Tom was prevailed upon to remain in Boston until Quincy could go to
Fernborough. At supper they were introduced to Maude's family.
"Six of them," said Quincy. "I am uncle to a numerous extent.
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