Ambiguous as this speech was--and old Mac seemed to make it purposely mysterious, and to enjoy it--I thoroughly understood it, and I thanked the speaker cordially. My heart felt lighter after it, and when Turk returned--old Mac being gone--I met him with a smile on my face. 'Has any one been here, Chris?' he asked, as he entered. 'Only old Mac; it is scarcely two minutes since he left.' 'No one else?' 'No, Turk. Have you found out about Jessie?' 'I have reason to believe she is quite well,' replied Turk, and that the notice is only a blind. I thought Mr. Glover might have called.' 'No; he has not been here. Did you expect to see him?' Turk, without replying to my question, commenced to walk up and down his shop, which unusual proceeding on his part caused me to observe him more closely. A strange expression of trouble and perplexity was on his face, and I questioned him concerning it. 'I asked you once,' he said, somewhat awkwardly, 'if you were in trouble. You will remember it--on the anniversary of Jessie's birthday.' 'I remember, Turk.' 'Yours, you said, was not a money trouble.' 'But yours is, Turk?' 'Yes; chiefly. Partly my own, partly another person's. Chris, if I speak vaguely, it is because I am on my parole; I mustn't break my word. Now we can trust one another, I think?' 'I am sure I can trust you, Turk.' 'And that is just what I want,' he said, with a perplexed look. 'What is? 'Trust. It is a tremendous misfortune, sometimes, to be a poor hard-up devil, not to be able to lay one's hand on a five-pound note. Generally, it doesn't matter; as a rule, I am happy enough with half a crown in my pocket, and owing no man anything. Chris, I want a large sum of money. Can you tell me where to borrow it on my word of honour?' 'How much, Turk?' 'Eighty pounds.' I had more than that saved out of my earnings. 'I can lend it to you, Turk,' I said quite gladly. 'You, Chris! Your own money?' 'My own money--money that I have saved.' 'And you will lend it to me on _that_ security?' 'What better do I want from you, Turk?' He resumed his walk, and was silent for a few moments. When he paused before me, there was a soft bright light in his eyes. 'It's good to have a friend. But, first, let me tell you. Only twenty pounds of the eighty are for myself. I want that sum to pay off my debt to Mr. Glover. The other sixty is for another person; and I shall be quite twelve months in paying you back.' 'I am satisfied, and more so, because you will be free, and out of Mr. Glover's clutches. I can give you the money to-night. Mother has it.' 'Is it all you have saved, Chris?' 'No; I shall have a little left.' 'Then, when I've paid Mr. Glover, I can give you a bill of sale over my stock.' He looked round upon his wigs and other theatrical property. 'It is worth the money.' 'I can't lend to you upon that security, Turk. The first you mentioned is the only security I can accept.' He laughed a little huskily.