"I am afraid, sir, it will be difficult for my mother and myself to prove that my father left money. We have no money, with which to hire legal assistance." "I propose to take the matter into my own hands. I am personally interested as the agent whom my dead friend commissioned to pay a debt of gratitude to the man who saved his life. Have you anything to detain you in Europe?" "No, sir, except an empty purse." "Permit me to act as your banker." Mr. Novarro drew from his pocket two hundred and fifty francs in gold and paper and handed them to Ben. To our hero it seemed like a fairy-tale, in which he was playing the leading part. He half-feared that the gold would turn into brass and the bank-notes into withered leaves; but, strange though it was, he saw good reason to think that his good fortune was real. "How can I thank you, sir, for your liberality?" he said, gratefully. "You forget that this is your own money; I am only advancing it to you, and shall be repaid speedily. Will you accept me as your guardian to protect your interests and compel your uncle to disgorge his ill-gotten gains?" "Thankfully, sir, if you are willing to take the trouble." "Then you will sail with me for New York by the next steamer. Have you your luggage with you?" "I have nothing, sir, except what I have on my back. I had to leave the asylum without a change, and I have not been able to change my clothes for a week or more." "I had forgotten. This must be looked to at once. We will take lunch, and then go out and purchase a new supply of under-clothing." Once more Ben had fallen on his feet. At what appeared to be the darkest moment light had suddenly fallen across his path, and he had stumbled upon the one man who was able to bring him into the sunshine. Before night his wardrobe had been quite replenished, and he breathed a deep sigh of relief as he found himself in fresh and clean attire. He sought out the tramp who had escorted him to the hotel, and liberally rewarded him. "I shall telegraph for passage in the Havre line of steamships," said Mr. Novarro. "A steamer is to sail on Saturday, so that we shall not have long to wait." "I fear, Mr. Novarro, you are interrupting your own plans in order to befriend me," said Ben to his new patron. "I have no plans. I am--perhaps unfortunately for myself--a rich man, under no necessity of labor. Indeed, my chief aim has been to pass my time as pleasantly as possible. Now I find something to do, and I find myself happier for having some object in life. I am rejoiced that we have met. It has brought to my life a new interest; and even after I have redeemed your wrongs I shall hope to keep up my acquaintance with you, and to make the acquaintance of your mother." "You may be sure, sir, that my mother will be only too glad to know so true a friend."