Richard was pretty decided in his ways. Hotel living would not suit him now; and soon after breakfast he took his little valise, earned a look of contempt from the hotel porter by saying that he did not require a cab, and set off to walk from Paddington to Frank's chambers in the Temple; where he arrived tired and hot, to climb the dreary-looking stone stairs, and read on the door the legend written upon a wafered-up paper, "Back in five minutes." With all the patience of a man accustomed to watch, Richard up-ended his portmanteau, and sat and waited hour after hour. Then he went out, and obtained some lunch, returning to find the paper untouched. Sitting down this time with a newspaper to while away the time, he tried to read, but not a word fixed itself upon his mind; and he sat once more thinking, till at last, weary and low-spirited, he walked out into the Strand, the portmanteau feeling very heavy, but his determination strong as ever. "Keb, sir--keb, sir," said a voice at his elbow; for he was passing the stand in Saint Clement's Churchyard. "No, my man--no." "Better take--why, I'm blest!" The remark was so emphatic that Richard looked the speaker in the face. "Don't you remember me, sir--axdent, sir--op'site your club, sir--me as knocked the lady down, sir?" "Oh yes," said Richard, "I remember you now. Not hurt, was she?" "On'y shook, sir. But jump in, sir. Let me drive yer, sir. Here, I'll take the portmanter." "No, no," said Richard, "I don't want to ride, I--there, confound it, man, what are you about?" "No, 'fence, sir--I on'y wanted to drive a gent as was so kind as you was. Odd, aint it, sir? That there lady lives along o' me, at my house, now--lodges, you know--'partments to let, furnished." "Apartments!" cried Richard, eagerly; "do you know of any apartments?" "Plenty out Jermyn Street way, sir." "No, no; I mean cheap lodgings." "What, for a gent like you, sir?" said Sam Jenkles. "No, no--I'm no gentleman," said Richard, bitterly; "only a poor man. I want cheap rooms." "Really, sir?" said Sam, rubbing his nose viciously. "Yes, really, my man. Can you tell me of any?" "You jump in, sir, and I'll run you up home in no time." "But I--" "My missus knows everybody 'bout us as has rooms to let--quiet lodgings, you know, sir; six bob a week style--cheap." "No, no; give me your address, and I'll walk." "No you don't, sir, along o' that portmanter. Now, I do wonder at a gent like you being so obstinit." Richard still hesitated; but it was an opportunity not to be lost, and, before he had time to thoroughly make up his mind, Sam had hoisted the portmanteau on the roof, afterwards holding open the flap of the cab. "It's all right, sir; jump in, sir. Ratty wants a run, and you can't carry that there portmanter." "A bad beginning," muttered Richard.