"Not so very much. They can live--perhaps in a farmhouse--for two or three pounds a week. I can afford it." "Do you know what it means to them? They will look upon it as a fairy tale, and will be afraid of waking up and finding it a dream." "As you see, it is no dream, and it is nonsense to talk of fairy tales. It is plain common sense. They will need warm clothing. Give them this--it will come better from you. I daresay there will be sufficient left to pay their fares down." "Do you intend to accompany them." "No, I shall remain in London; but there must necessarily be some correspondence between us." "And still--pray don't be angry--I am puzzled and curious as to your motive." "Let me put it to you in this way, doctor. You see now and then in the papers an acknowledgment from the Chancellor of the Exchequer of a parcel of bank notes from X. Y. Z., for unpaid income tax. It is called conscience money. The difference is that I have wronged neither man nor woman, yet what I am doing is an affair of the conscience. Will not this content you." "It must." Then after a pause, "You have seen trouble?" "Few men have had harder trials, bitterer disappointments." "I regret to hear it. And now, who is to acquaint the Camerons with your scheme?" "You." "I decline. I will give them the money you have entrusted with me, and I will make Miss Cameron understand that it is imperatively necessary that her mother be removed without delay. The rest is in your hands." "Very well--though I should prefer it otherwise." "I am going now to see my patient, and I will prepare them for this change in their fortunes. You will probably see Miss Cameron in the course of the afternoon." "Kindly tell her I will call at two o'clock. I shall leave for Swanage by the five o'clock train." I make but brief reference to my interview with Miss Cameron. She was profoundly grateful for the services I was rendering them, but seemed, indeed, as the doctor had said, to fear that it was a dream from which she would presently awake, though the small sum of money I had sent her by the doctor's hands should have convinced her. I did not see her mother, our interview taking place in a lower room in the house, which the landlady placed at her disposal. It was difficult for her to understand why a stranger should step forward to befriend her, and my lame attempts at an explanation did not assist her to a better understanding of the matter.