I had no time to
spare for anything outside our settled plan, so I jumped out on to the
platform at once, and closely followed by Philpotts joined Henriette,
and cried:
"Quick, quick, dear, the train goes on in less than ten minutes. Give
me the child, we must exchange again."
"What do you mean?" she gasped, and looked at me dazed and bewildered.
"Why should I part with my boy, my own boy! I cannot, indeed I cannot.
Why? Why?"
"Because Blackadder is over there, and in another minute or two the
child will be taken forcibly from you. Luckily I can still save it."
"Oh, but please, Claire, please explain. I do not understand, not in
the least. What am I to do? I haven't heard, I do not know."
"Go on to Fuentellato with the dummy. It is the easiest thing in the
world. They will follow you, Colonel Annesley will see to that, while
I carry our darling to some secure hiding-place and keep out of sight
until we can meet. There, do not, for heaven's sake, delay. Give me
the child."
"I can't, I can't. I will not part with it. My own, my precious babe.
Never.
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