"The narrative which you revealed to me the day before yesterday materially alters the position in which Katherine stands with respect to you. When I first proposed that she should advance you at once a small sum, I believed her to be your near relative. But as she is in no way akin to you, it results that you have for years supported one who had no claim upon you. Accident has made her rich; and it is but fair and just that you should be adequately rewarded for your generosity. I have communicated with Katherine's trustee upon the subject; and we have agreed to furnish you with five hundred pounds at once, to enable you to embark in a respectable and substantial line of business. This pocket-book," proceeded Markham, "contains that sum. Take it, my worthy friend—it is your due; and, should you succeed in the career that you are now about to enter upon, you can with satisfaction trace your prosperity to the humanity which you showed to a friendless orphan." After some hesitation, Smithers received the pocket-book. He and his son then took leave of Richard Markham, with the most sincerely felt expressions of gratitude, and with a promise from the father to write to him soon to state where and how they had settled themselves. Scarcely had those two individuals, now both made happy, taken their departure, when Whittingham informed his master that a person with a dark complexion, and who gave the name of Morcar, requested to speak to him. Richard ordered the gipsy to be instantly admitted to his presence. Morcar was accordingly shown into the parlour. The moment he found himself alone with Markham, he said in a low and somewhat solemn tone, "We have traced him!" "I expected as much, the moment your name was announced," said Richard. "Where is he?" "He has taken refuge in a barge on the river," answered Morcar. "That is all I have been able to learn; but I am confident he is there." "And do you know where the barge is moored?" asked Richard. "Close by Rotherhithe. But there are several other barges off the same wharf; and I cannot single out which he is in. I, however, know that he _is_ concealed in one of them." "It is important to discover which," said Markham. "Were we to make our appearance in that vicinity with a body of police, he might escape us altogether." "And therefore it will be better to take him by means of stratagem," observed Morcar. "What can have induced him to seek refuge there?" said Richard, in a musing tone. "Some new crime, perhaps?" "Or else some fresh scheme of villany," returned Morcar. "But perhaps you are not aware, sir, that river piracy still flourishes to some extent?" "I certainly imagined that with our system of Thames police, that species of depredation was completely ruined." "No such thing, sir!" exclaimed Morcar. "The man who gave me the information about Tidkins, told me more than ever I knew before on that subject."