Absence of street boys aside, Robin’s terror seemed to grow until his courage had almost evaporated entirely. Again and again he was tempted to turn back. And why not? For all he knew, he might be exchanging a familiar horror for an unfamiliar one that could be far worse. But he could never erase the picture of that cruel hand raised against Danny. So with his heart in his throat, Robin scurried past the dark, threatening alleys and stairwells, and the boarded-up windows, and went on, trying to get as far away from Hawker as possible.
So far, however, he had not come up with a single idea as to where he should take Danny, or how they were to live. And now he was so tired his brain had shut down. He had heard of cheap lodging houses where for a few pennies he could have a place to lie down for the night. Perhaps in the morning he could think more clearly of what he should do. On the other hand, he had also heard how grim such places were. Like the dark, evil stairwells, they were the roosting places of the worst kind of tramps and thieves. Even if he dared to go into one of these places himself, he would not take Danny into one. Besides, he needed every penny of the two dollars and fifty cents he had in his pocket, that being the remainder of the three dollars his mama had left him after fifty cents had been given to Hawker.
Perhaps he should find the nearest police station, and throw himself on the mercy of the policemen, begging them to find a kind home for himself and Danny so they could stay together. Oh yes, a police station, where, classed as a runaway, Robin, along with Danny, would be back with Hawker Doak within the hour! Worse, what if the pin and locket were discovered in Robin’s pocket? Danny would be tossed back into the arms of Hawker, and Robin himself would be tossed into the arms of a reformatory!
Everything else Robin came up with had the unhappy ending of seeing him separated from Danny forever. He had heard of something called the Foundling Asylum, a place that took in baby waifs, but not older children. And surely not a boy Robin’s age. He had no idea of what happened to babies when they were infants, but once Danny disappeared through their doors, Robin was certain he would never see his little brother again.
On the night Robin had had the long, tearful talk with his mama, she had said that perhaps she should leave Danny in a basket on the doorstep of a big church attended by the wealthy, where he might be taken by some loving family. But, of course, Robin knew she could never have brought herself to take such a desperate measure. Nor had Robin considered it. At least not until this very moment, when he started to think about it.
Church! A big, handsome church attended by the wealthy! What if Robin were to find one and leave Danny on its front step? Who would not want him, this baby with the most beautiful blue eyes in the world, and a cap of soft golden ringlets? And Robin would leave the shopping bag with his cape, his bonnet, his baby bottles, his little tin spoon and bowl, and the two dollars and fifty cents, so his new family could know that this was a baby who had been cared for and loved.
But, and this was an enormous BUT, the big difference would be that Robin himself would be hiding behind a bush, or a church pillar, or even loitering about across the street, and would see who took Danny! Such wealthy people as would be attending the church would surely own a carriage, and Robin would simply take note of the number of that carriage. This clever trick would help him to find the people. After a day or two had passed—ample time, he felt, for them to fall so in love with Danny they would never wish to part with him—Robin would present himself to them as Danny’s brother.
If he were lucky, they might even take him as well, not wishing to see them separated. If not so lucky, they perhaps might allow him to visit Danny from time to time. At least then they would not be lost to one another forever.
However, one problem remained. How was Robin himself to survive? Though he would hate doing it, perhaps he should keep out fifty or seventy-five cents from the two dollars and fifty cents. That would buy him several nights at a cheap lodging house until he found a way to earn money. Perhaps he could become a newsboy after all. But he was too tired to think about it now. All he wanted to think about was putting the tenements far behind himself, and finding the proper church. His steps quickened.
“Where do you think you’re goin’ in such a hurry, my lad?” said a gruff voice, coming at Robin out of the darkness.
Robin froze in his steps. He turned slowly around and found himself looking up into the stern, scowling face of a policeman!
“I … I … I …” Robin stammered.
“Cat got your tongue, eh?” said the policeman. “Well then, maybe you can do better with this next question. What you got in that bundle you’re carryin’, and that bag?”
“It’s … it’s … my baby brother,” quavered Robin. “And his food and clothes are in the bag.”
“Will you be kind enough to step over here under the lamp and let me have look?” inquired the policeman, still stony-faced.
Robin, his legs turned to rubber, quickly moved over to the lamp, and pulled back the corner of blanket around Danny’s face.
The policeman peered down. His face instantly softened.
