Yet it is an almost unbelievable thing that there has been no search or inquiry after him . Probably there is some simple explanation of the mystery , however . I advise you to go over to the Cove and inquire . When you find the parents or guardians of the child , ask them to allow you to keep it for a time . It may prove your wife 's salvation . I have known such cases . Evidently on that night the crisis of her mental disorder was reached . A little thing might have sufficed to turn her feet either way -- back to reason and sanity , or into deeper darkness . It is my belief that the former has occurred , and that , if she is left in undisturbed possession of this child for a time , she will recover completely . '' I drove around the harbor that day with a lighter heart than I had hoped ever to possess again . When I reached Spruce Cove the first person I met was old Abel Blair . I asked him if any child were missing from the Cove or along shore . He looked at me in surprise , shook his head , and said he had not heard of any . I told him as much of the tale as was necessary , leaving him to think that my wife and I had found the dory and its small passenger during an ordinary walk along the shore . `` A green dory ! '' he exclaimed . `` Ben Forbes ' old green dory has been missing for a week , but it was so rotten and leaky he did n't bother looking for it . But this child , sir -- it beats me . What might he be like ? '' I described the child as closely as possible .
`` That fits little Harry Martin XXXXX a hair , '' said old Abel , perplexedly , `` but , sir , it ca n't be .
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