Explore "On the Brink of a Chasm" by L.T. Meade on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
It was on the very day that Pelham was arrested on a charge of murder, and Barbara, happy and unconscious, had gone to Exeter to buy presents for the Christmas tree, that Mrs. Ives began her search for Piers. Having had time to think during the night, she resolved not to begin by going to Pelham Towers. The boy had no money, of that she was well aware. It would be out of his power to walk the distance from Falmouth to Great Pelham under several days, besides he would not know the way. Beyond doubt, he was still in the immediate neighborhood. Mrs. Ives would make inquiries in her own vicinity first.
"He's such a pretty little dear that any one might kidnap him," she said to herself. "I hope to goodness there ain't no gipsies about. I'll go to the different villages and make inquiries, and I'll offer a reward. I'll write it out and I'll put it up on my door the first thing in the morning. I'll spend a pound over Piers. It's a deal of money, but I'll spend it."