silence of this place, which he had always understood to be the scene of wild revelry at

all hours of the night.

He did not slacken his

pace until he reached the Embankment. There he halted and leaned over the parapet. He was not fatigued: the rapid walk seemed to have instilled new strength into him, and had partially cleared the cobwebs from his brain. He was attracted by the lights gleaming in the dark fast-flowing river. Out there were black islets of barges, and on the opposite shore the fantastic outlines of buildings, showing like irregular ramparts against the dull grey sky. He was thinking of Madge, and the pain she would suffer on his account when the worst was made known to her in the morning, perhaps, or next day.

"Got a copper to spare a poor cove as hasn't had a crust for two days?" said a husky voice close to him.

Philip started up. He was aware of the evil reputation of the Embankment, and the character of the roughs who infest it after

nightfall. A lamp close by showed him a miserable-looking wretch, ragged and hungryeyed. He did seem to need help, poor fellow. Philip gave him a shilling, and was about to pass on. But a huge hulk of a man stood in his way.

"We want som'at more nor that, guv'nor. So tip us

The man went down as if he had been shot. Philip was in the mood for mischief, and he had not forgotten his practice with the gloves. So, the first words of the ruffian plainly intimating his purpose, a well-delivered blow straight from the shoulder finished the sentence for him. Philip knew that it would have been madness to have given the man time to attack him, and, as it was, the other man was already attempting to rifle his pockets. This one belonged to the sneak tribe, and finding his throat suddenly gripped by fingers that seemed to possess the strength of a vice, his hands went up to loosen them. He was hurled aside; and Philip hurried away with a sort of savage pleasure in having

punished the brace of scoundrels, as well as disappointed them of their expected prize.

Near Blackfriars Bridge he met a policeman, to whom he briefly reported the incident. The man listened with stolid indifference.

"They are a bad lot about here, at nights, sir," he said composedly; "and it ain't a place for decent people at this hour."

The constable's idea evidently was that decent people should keep out of the way of the roughs, not that it was his duty to keep the roughs from molesting the decent people who might be compelled to use the thoroughfare.

Philip entered his dreary chambers again. He felt better, but still he could not sleep.

CHAPTER XLIII.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY.

AT an early hour Wrentham was with him again, as smartly dressed and hat as glossy as if he had been on his way to a gardenparty or Ascot, which was the more probable expedition for him to be intent on. Whatever he thought of Philip's haggard looks and ruffled dress, which indicated that he had been up all night, he affected not to perceive these signs of a mind perturbed.

66

Any letter this morning?" he inquired after a cheerful greeting.

"No letter from Mr. Shield," answered Philip, comprehending the real meaning of the question.

'Droll," muttered Wrentham, for an instant allowing his disappointment

to

appear. "Should have thought he would

not have failed to write last night, knowing what a corner you are in. Never mind. I dare say he means to send the answer by messenger, and he can't back out of giving you a lift, seeing that he is pledged to do

"He may be annoyed-he has reason enough to be so-and may refuse. What then ?"

Wrentham shrugged his shoulders and smiled complacently.

Why, then, my dear old man, you must go in for the whitewash."

"The what?"

"The whitewash. Go through the Court -the Bankruptcy Court. . Oh, you need not look so glum over it, for it is quite the pleasantest way of getting out of a difficulty, and every sensible man does it. I've been through the Court twice myself, and only want to go through it a third time in order to be certain of success. I assure you the Court of Bankruptcy is the gateway to fortune. Look at—_”›