s, he went in the direction of Bishopsgate Street. He had lodgings in Bishopsgate Without-a tiny room at the top of a house, which he calle

turned on the gas in his little attic, he took the photograph down from its place and looked at it hungrily and greedily. He was a young giant in his way, strong and muscular and good-looking. His dark eyes seemed to g

she is my girl. I'll set this thing right before a week is out. Now let me put on my considering cap-let me try to think of this matter as if I were a detective. By the way, there's t

e. As he was running downstairs he met his landlady-he was a favorite with her. S

"I will sup out to-night

ded and

hite he do look! and his eyes sorter dazed-he's a right

t knowledge which had come to him in his boyhood-the knowledge of climbing and rowing, of fishing and swimming-the power to use all his limbs. This power had made him big and strong, and London ways and London life could not greatly affect him. He was very c

n and me will find it out bet

ing Sampson in, and very

His face was clean-shaven, and he had a very alert look. Sampson did not live in an attic-he had a neat, well-furnished room, on the third floor. His room did not show the taste Jim's did-it was largely garnished with colored photographs of handsome young women, and some of the most celebrated cri

will have nothing to do with me until she is cleared of this shame, so you see how things stand, Sam

y advice, but I should only rouse suspicion if I were to appear in the matter-still, we can talk the thing well o

rived whom she was to serve. She served her customer, and went to ask Mr. Shaw for change. He told her that the key was in the till, and that she might help herself. She took the change out and then locked the till. Alison is anxious eno

Now, one of three things is plain. You'll forgiv

t smile. "You were always famous for tel

if I didn't do that-still, this is my view of the case in a nutshell. One of three things m

he did," said

n. Granted that he put the money into the till, one of three things happ

ist, and made a step toward Sampson, who sat,

won't you

e you and kick you out

o suppositions must have happened; either the note is still in the drawer, pushed out of sight, or under some loose change-hidden, the Lord knows where-or somebod

e could,"

e artful devices of some folks is past counting. Now

ugh-a very re

f them have a spite ag

n't suppose the

ne of them has. Now speak out, Jim.

shop. Of course, except Alison, I have not had much to do with any of them, but Ally once said to

my words, Louisa Clay is at the bottom of t

t twenty years of age, I should say, with a dash of the gy

o have studied

u could pass," said Jim, coloring;

sort, wou

can I

d of this trouble, blest ef I don't.

mon

have you b

rst, and then I rose step by step. I ha

has Louisa Cla

mber, but I should sa

ow rose t

taller than us London fellows, and you've got a pleasing way with yo

and then," answered the yo

alked to her; in fact, you kept

hat I

d; so it all comes to the same. Then Alison a

iends from the first. I hadn't known her a fortnight before I loved her more than all the res

ght, my hearty, and of course she was jealous of Miss Reed, and if she didn't want

right to charge a girl

l on the head. Anyhow, that's the track for

n Shoreditch. He's a pawnbrok

have gone to

Sunday evenings.

ou gone

say very

o you and me strolling r

, come now," he added, "I have

you. I thought you wan

ything; but I can't see your meaning. I do want, God knows, t

s a dash of the knowing at every step. You are as innocent as a babe, and you haven't the guile of an unfledged chicken. You leave this matter with me. I begin to think I'd like to see Miss Clay. I admire that handsome, dashing sort of girl-yes, that I do. All

hesi

like it,"

"I wouldn't give much for that vow of yours, young man. W

do, Go

duce me to

, I hope I'm

tell you this is my affair. Come

sh he had never consulted Sampson. But the detective's cheery and pleasant talk very soon raised his spirits, and by the time the two young men had reached t

to see that she looked better in her neat black alpaca with its simple trimmings than in any of her beflowered and bespangled home dresses. The Clays were having friends to supper this special evening, and the mirth was fast and hilarious when Hardy and Sampson entered the room. Hardy had never seen Lo

is, if ever gel was," mutte

Louisa to accompany him to a sofa at a little distance, where they sat together laughing and ch

ed old lady at the head of the room. This was the hostess. Clay, the pawnbroker, a little man with a deeply wrinkled face and shrewd, beadlike, black eyes, was darting in and out amongst his friends, laughing loudly, cracking jok

with a broad wink. "Eh, Louisa, who have I brought, eh

it, of course

Jim a second glance of

e. "I thought that you were a bit troubled to-day; b

tell Louisa his real motive; he felt ashamed of h

nued. "Of course I can see that you are cut up;

up his b

said; "I won't di

oning him to a corner. "Look here," she continued, "there's a quiet nook here, just under the stairs; let

it with you, Miss

all me Miss Clay!" she retorte

to her. "I will call you Louisa if you like; but Louisa or

med to blaze like living fire

e thing," she said,

asked, surprised at

o marry Alison R

but as you have, I will for once answer you frankly. If I

a vow?" s

as such, if you

e replied. "No man can t

replied. "I think I'll

ow I know it. Look here, Jim; I am your friend, and I am Alison Reed's friend. There is nothing I wouldn't

m; "that is my business. Good-

u to clear Miss Reed. Will you

you like,"

y then. Yes, Alison must be cleared. It seems to

I'll sit next to you with pleasure;

ped; an angry colo

hers: the next minute the two yo

"we have done good b

nt. I don't like her, but she has had no more to

le to prove it either to-day or to-morrow, but I will prov

d Jim; "it seems awfully hard

words: Louisa is the one what took that money. I have got a footing in the h

id Jim. "Don't drag me into it any