He gained double strength, but of no use. These two men imagined that they had a claim on him by reason of his name, and therefore held on with tightening grasp. For a moment Mr. World ceased his struggling and looked at his two pitiable beseechers. “I can give you nothing. Why torment me thus?” he tremblingly gasped with abated breath. “In our better days we gave all we had to the world and now we need help. Surely you can give it.” They became furious and ranted the more at the thought of their past folly. “Why come to me? Go to Mr. Flesh, or ask the Devil for help,” pleaded Mr. World. “We have served the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. All have failed us miserably. To whom else can we go but to anyone within our reach? Oh! forsake us not in this awful plight!” Poor Mr. World, unable longer to bear the sickening and threatening attack, sank to the filth-covered floor and groaned aloud. At once a fierce and powerful being came to the rescue and, flinging the two unfortunates aside, lifted Mr. World to his feet and looked down upon him with his awful eyes. Mr. Intemperance lay crouching near the side of Mr. Lust, each smarting under the pain of his fall. “How came you to this place?” sternly asked the monster. “By walking in at the door,” answered the terrified Mr. World. “Without permission?” he further asked. “There was no one there to ask, and I, being out sight-seeing, thought I might also enter in here.” The monster seized Mr. World by the arms and looked at him in a still more frightful manner. “You are not yet ready to come into this region, and if you will solemnly pledge me that you will never reveal what you have seen here, I will conduct you safely to the door; if not, you must remain here without a ray of hope until death gives relief.” Mr. World humbled himself and gave double assurance of secrecy. Then the grim creature conducted him a little to one side and bade him look down into a deep and dark yawning chasm. “Down there,” commenced the Old Monster, “runs the Black River deep and wide. The stream, coming from its distant source, drains the filthy realm of human society, and not far hence it enters into the boundless ocean of eternal death. The wild sounds which you hear are the unseen dashings of its never-ceasing waves, and the moans of those who have fallen victims to its merciless currents.” CHAPTER XXIV. THE LAST WARNING. 1. Miss Church-Member is now induced to frequent the haunts of vice in the “Wicked Valley.” 2. The blessed work of Warning as given by rescue bands from the King’s Highway. 3. The heedless throngs passing by. 4. The experiences at this place of Mr. World and Miss Church-Member. There was a joyful meeting in the reception room of the Hospital when Mr. World, returning from his underground experiences, met his beloved friend Miss Church-Member who had recovered sufficiently to resume the journey.