The manager did speak, and to good purpose, for Dick was raised to the rank of an apprentice and his indentures were made out and signed by the firm. He did not leave all disagreeable work behind, but he was under Mr. Dainton's oversight now, and Whatman's friends had little chance to torment him. When the Assizes came he had to give evidence against the would-be burglars, and as a result they were both sentenced to hard labour. Dick would have gladly evaded this unpleasant duty, but he had no choice in the matter. It was a great trouble to him, for a long while afterwards, and again and again he prayed that Whatman might have a new heart and right spirit and come out to lead a better life. CHAPTER X. SUCCESS AT LAST. The winter passed quickly away and in the spring Paddy came to Ironboro'. He knocked at Mrs. Garth's door one evening, and Dick, who happened to answer the summons, looked at him for a moment in astonishment, he was so completely changed. In a new suit of clothes and with smart collar and tie he looked altogether unlike the slovenly, poorly-clad Paddy of old. But his smile was the same, and Dick almost fell upon him in his delight, while Pat was in no doubt at all. He recognised his former benefactor at once with that strange power of memory dogs possess in a way that is almost human. "Ye see, I was bound to come, Lionheart, to see with my own eyes how they were serving you, and to let you know I've gave up the drink for ever an' ever! Twas all through you, and the Almighty's power, and now I belong to Him body and soul, and He kapes me every day." Dick's joy was almost too great for words. It was splendid to see his friend like this, and to know that he had helped in the great change. There were no lessons done that evening. Instead they talked, as Mrs. Garth declared, "enough to fill a newspaper." It happened that she had a room empty, for her other lodger had left a week before, and when she found that Paddy meant to stay if he could find work in Ironboro', she offered him the room, and he was only too glad to have it. "You can come here, and welcome," she said, "only if my old lodger, the boy's uncle, comes back I shall let him have the chance of it again. He used to say if he didn't get the dollars out foreign he should come back to me, and Dick here is hoping he will." "We had a letter from him," said Dick, "and he's coming home as soon as he can get luck, he says, but he hasn't found any gold yet." "It was a pity he went on a sort of wild goose chase, but still it was a good thing you came to look for him, eh lad? Maybe it'll be the making of your fortune!" "I don't know about that," said Dick eagerly, "but I love to be here. And I've nearly saved up enough to pay you back the debt."