Jennie so far professed to fall in with this plan as to draw out Nibbs' plot, the proposition having been made during Ben's absence from Tarport. Immediately upon his return she laid before him the whole story, which, of course, knocked the doorkeeper's schemes out of time. He not only failed to get the money, but he lost his position, Ben discharging him at once upon the discovery of his treachery. He was succeeded by Jack McCormack, who proved a perfectly trustworthy and honest man. While Ben was in Tarport, an indictment was found against him at Franklin for having sold liquor in the Bullion house without a license. The fact that he had lent the Attorney thirty dollars while at Bullion, and also paid for a night's carousal for that official, did not save him from having the case pressed to its utmost. Hogan was convicted of the alleged offense, and fined three hundred and fifty dollars, which he paid. It was the first money which he ever parted with in a case of that kind. [Illustration: _KILLING TIME IN TARPORT._] CHAPTER XXVI. New Resolves and New Hopes. And now, dear reader, after having given you some insight into my turbulent and, for so far, misspent life, I stand before you and before Heaven with uplifted hands and tearful eyes, imploring the forgiveness of society and the great and good Being I have so long and so persistently offended. Surely, I can say of a truth that "the way of the transgressor is hard;" for now I most solemnly aver that never during my wild and reckless career had I experienced a moment of true peace or happiness. Under the promptings of the Evil One and of my own fallen nature, all was confusion and crime; and were it not for a benign and forgiving Providence I should long ere this have been beyond all hope.