There was a flash from the sunken eyes, and a quick gesture, but the flash died out, and the gesture seemed to be cut in half. Two years' hard labour in one of His Majesty's gaols had pretty well broken the weak fellow's spirit. He stepped to the door, glanced round the comfortable room, uttered a low moan, and was half out, when Hallam uttered sharply the one word "Stop!" His visitor paused, and looked eagerly round upon him. "Look here, Stephen Crellock," he said, "I don't like to see a man like you go to the dogs without giving him a chance. There, come back and close the door!" The poor wretch came back hurriedly, and made a snatch at Hallam's hand, which was withdrawn. "No, no, wait till you've proved yourself an honest man," he said. Crellock's eyes flashed again, but, as before, the flash died out at once, and he stood humbly before his old fellow clerk. Hallam remained silent for a few moments, and then as if he had made up his mind, he said: "I ought to hand you over to the constable, that is, if I did my duty as manager of Dixons' Bank, and a good member of society; but I can't forget that you were once a smart, gentlemanly-looking young fellow, who slipped and fell." Crellock stood bent and humbled, staring at him in silence. "I'm going to let heart get the better of discipline," continued Hallam, "and to-night I'm going to give you five guineas to get back to London and make a fresh start; and till that fresh start is made, and you can do without it, I'm going to give you a pound a week, if asked for by letter humbly, and in a proper spirit." "Rob!" "There, there; no words. I don't want thanks. I know I'm doing wrong, and I hope my weakness will not prove my punishment." "It shan't, Rob; it shan't," faltered the poor shivering wretch, who had hard work to keep back his tears. "There are four guineas, there's a half, and there are ten shillings in silver. Now go to some decent inn--here is some food for present use-- get a bed, and to-morrow morning catch the coach, and get back to London to seek work." Hallam handed him the parcel he had made. "I will, Rob; I will, Mr Hallam, sir, and may--" "There, that will do," said Hallam, interrupting him. "Prove all your gratitude by making yourself independent as soon as you can. There, you see you have not frightened me into bribing you to be silent." "No, no, sir. Oh, no, I see that!" said the poor wretch dolefully. "I'm very grateful, I am, indeed, and I will try." "Go, then, and try," said Hallam shortly. "Stop a moment." He rang his bell, and Mrs Pinet entered promptly, glancing curiously at the visitor, and then back at her lodger, who paused to give her ample time to take in the scene. "Mrs Pinet," he said at last, and in the coolest and most matter-of-fact way, "this poor fellow wants a lodging for the night at some respectable place, where they will not be hard upon his pocket."