Jim walked quickly down the street; the fog had now partly lifted, and a very faint breeze came and fanned his cheeks as, with great strides, 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 called his own, and which he kept beautifully neat, full of books and other possessions. Hanging over his mantelpiece was a photograph of Alison. It did not do her justice, failing to reproduce her expression, giving no color to the charming, petulant face, and merely reproducing the fairly good features without putting any life into them. When Hardy got home and 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 gather fire as he looked at Alison's picture; his lips, always strong and determined, became obstinate in their outline; he clenched one of his strong hands, then put the photograph slowly and carefully back in its place. "I have made a vow," he said to himself. "I don't remember ever making a vow before; I'll keep this vow, so help me Heaven!--I have got to clear my girl; yes, when all is said and done, 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 that friend of mine, Sampson, who is in the detective force; I've a good mind to run round to him and ask his advice. There's treachery somewhere, and he might give me a wrinkle or two." Jim put on his cap, thrust his hands deep into his pockets, and went out once more. As he was running downstairs he met his landlady--he was a favorite with her. She accosted him with a civil word, and an inquiry if he did not want some supper. "No, thanks," he replied, "I will sup out to-night--good-night, Mrs. Higgins." She nodded and smiled. "I wonder what's up with him," she sad to herself--"how white he do look! and his eyes sorter dazed--he's a right good fellow, and I wish I had more like him in the house." Jim meanwhile was marching quickly in the direction of Sampson's lodgings. He had been brought up in the country, and had never seen London until he was seventeen years of age. His great frame and athletic limbs were all country-bred; he could never lose that 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 clever and very steady, and was rising to a good position in the shop. His thoughts were far away now from his own affairs; they were absorbed with Alison--with that dreadful shame which surrounded her, and with the vow he had made to set his dear love straight.