"Your game," said Rathbeal, and then consulted the date of the newspaper. It was nearly seven weeks old. Permission being given to him to make a cutting from the paper, he cut out the advertisement very neatly, and asked the proprietor whether he had a London Directory in the shop. "I have one," said the proprietor, "but it is twelve years old." "That will do," said Rathbeal. "Lawyers are rocks." Turning over the pages of the Directory, he found the number in Bedford Row at which Paxton and Freshfield carried on their practice. Wishing the proprietor good-day, he left the shop, and went straight to Robert Grantham's lodging. Grantham was at home. "I have something to ask you, Robert," he said, without beating about the bush. "Were you born in Leamington?" "Yes," replied Grantham. "Leamington in Warwickshire?" "Yes." "Then this concerns you," said Rathbeal, and handed him the cutting. The expression on Robert Grantham's face was not one of pleasure; to be thus publicly advertised for seemed to cause him discomfort. He read the advertisement, and offered no remark upon it. "It was by chance," said Rathbeal, "using your own term, for I do not admit that chance is a factor in our lives, that I came across it. The paper I cut it from is nearly two months old. What are you going to do about it?" "Nothing," said Grantham. "Something to your advantage, it says. That sounds like money. You cannot afford to neglect it, Robert." "I would rather have nothing to do with it." "Gently, friend. How much coin have you in your pocket at the present moment?" "Two small silver pieces and a few pennies. To be exact, one shilling and tenpence." "Your rent is due to-morrow." "I shall earn it." "Do not be too sure. If this advertisement means money for you, it becomes your duty to claim it." "How so?" "Remember the penance you imposed upon yourself. You would spend for your own necessities only what was requisite for the plainest food; any money you had remaining should be devoted to the children of misery. You have nobly carried out your resolution. Do you consider you have atoned for the sins and errors of the past?" "I could not atone for them if I lived twice my allotted span." "Then the right is not yours to throw away this money. It belongs, not to you, but to the poor, whose sufferings it would alleviate. Neglect of the opportunity which now presents itself would become a crime. And why do you desire to let the matter rest? To save yourself a possible personal annoyance, you shrink from publicity; you tremble at the idea that some old friend or acquaintance may learn that you still live. I did not think you capable of such weakness." "I am reproved, Rathbeal; but still I would rather not appear in the matter until the last moment, until it is certain that my appearance is necessary, and would benefit others. Will you take this office of friendship upon yourself, and make inquiries for me at the lawyer's?"