"Yoh know father, Mr. Holmes? He's back now. This is him." The old man came forward, humbly. "It's me, Marster Stephen." The sullen, stealthy face disgusted Holmes. He nodded, shortly. "Yoh've been kind to my little girl while I was gone," he said, catching his breath. "I thank yoh, Marster." "You need not. It was for Lois." "'T was fur her I comed back hyur. 'T was a resk,"--with a dumb look of entreaty at Holmes,--"but fur her I thort I'd try it. I know't was a resk; but I thort them as cared fur Lo wud be merciful. She's a good girl, Lo. She's all I hev." Lois brought a box over, lugging it heavily. "We hev n't chairs; but yoh'll sit down, Mr. Holmes?" laughing as she covered it with a cloth. "It'd a warm place, here. Father studies 'n his watch, 'n' I'm teacher,"--showing the torn old spelling-book. The old man came eagerly forward, seeing the smile flicker on Holmes's face. "It's slow work, Marster,--slow. But Lo's a good teacher, 'n' I'm tryin',--I'm tryin' hard." "It's not slow, Sir, seein' father hed n't 'dvantages, like me. He was a"---- She stopped, lowering her voice, a hot flush of shame on her face. "I know." "Be n't that'll 'xcuse, Marster, seein' I knowed noght at the beginnin'? Thenk o' that, Marster. I'm tryin' to be a different man. Fur Lo. I AM tryin'." Holmes did not notice him. "Good-night, Lois," he said, kindly, as she lighted his lamp. He put some money on the table. "You must take it," as she looked uneasy. "For Tiger's board, say. I never see him now. A bright new frock, remember." She thanked him, her eyes brightening, looking at her father's patched coat. The old man followed Holmes out. "Marster Holmes"---- "Have done with this," said Holmes, sternly. "Whoever breaks law abides by it. It is no affair of mine." The old man clutched his hands together fiercely, struggling to be quiet. "Ther' 's none knows it but yoh," he said, in a smothered voice. "Fur God's sake be merciful! It'll kill my girl,--it 'll kill her. Gev me a chance, Marster." "You trouble me. I must do what is just." "It's not just," he said, savagely. "What good'll it do me to go back ther'? I was goin' down, down, an' bringin' th' others with me. What good'll it do you or the rest to hev me ther'? To make me afraid? It's poor learnin' frum fear. Who taught me what was right? Who cared? No man cared fur my soul, till I thieved 'n' robbed; 'n' then judge 'n' jury 'n' jailers was glad to pounce on me. Will yoh gev me a chance? will yoh?" It was a desperate face before him; but Holmes never knew fear. "Stand aside," he said, quietly. "To-morrow I will see you. You need not try to escape." He passed him, and went slowly up through the vacant mill to his chamber.