"Very likely I would struggle to get out again the moment I went over," he muttered to himself. "But if no help came it would all be done with, in a minute. Two minutes perhaps. I'll warrant those two minutes would seem an eternity. I would see a hundred ways of making a living, if I could only get out again. Why can't I see one now while I _am_ out. My father committed suicide, why shouldn't I? I suppose it runs in the family. There seems to come a time when it is the only way out. I wonder if he hesitated? I'm a coward, that's the trouble." After a moment's hesitation the man slowly climbed on the top of the stone wall and then paused again. He looked with a shudder at the gloomy river. "I'll do it," he cried aloud, and was about to slide down, when a hand grasped his arm and a voice said: "_What_ will you do?" In the light of the gas-lamp Bradley saw a man whose face seemed familiar and although he thought rapidly, "Where have I seen that man before?" he could not place him. "Nothing," answered Bradley sullenly. "That's right," was the answer. "I'd do nothing of that kind, if I were you." "Of course you wouldn't. You have everything that I haven't--food, clothes, shelter. Certainly you wouldn't. Why should you?" "Why should you, if it comes to that?" "Because ten shillings stands between me and a job. That's why, if you want to know. There's eight shillings railway fare, a shilling for something to eat to-night and a shilling for something in the morning. But I haven't the ten shillings. So that's why." "If I give you the ten shillings what assurance have I that you will not go and get drunk on it?" "None at all. I have not asked you for ten shillings, nor for one. I have simply answered your question." "That is true. I will give you a pound if you will take it, and so if unfortunately you spent half of it in cheering yourself, you will still have enough left to get that job. What is the job?" "I am a carpenter." "You are welcome to the pound." "I will take it gladly. But, mind you, I am not a beggar. I will take it if you give me your address, so that I may send it back to you when I earn it." By this time Bradley had come down on the pavement. The other man laughed quietly. "I cannot agree to that. You are welcome to the money. More if you like. I merely doubled the sum you mentioned to provide for anything unseen." "Unless you let me return it, I will not take the money." "I have perfect confidence in your honesty. If I had not, I would not offer the money. I cannot give you my address, or, rather, I will not. If you will pay the pound to some charity or will give it to someone who is in need, I am more than satisfied. If you give it to the right man and tell him to do the same, the pound will do more good than ever it will in my pocket or in my usual way of spending it." "But how are you to know I will do that?" "I am considered rather a good judge of men. I am certain you will do what you say."