James Dodson led the way into his own small room, and as William Jordan entered he closed the door. “I don’t know what to say about it, Luney, I don’t indeed,” said Dodson dismally. “I have been thinking about it all night; and I don’t seem to get any nearer towards the wise and the straight thing.” “I--I intend to make all the reparation that lies in my power,” said the young man, whose face was that of a ghost. “Yes; somehow I expected you would do that,” said his mentor, “but if you do you will be found out.” “I think I would choose to have it so,” said the young man, with gaunt eyes. “No, my son,” said his mentor firmly, “that is just what you can’t afford. If you are found out there is no saying what will happen to you. You see Octavius is a very good chap; makes a god of what he calls honour, and so on, and that makes him a bit of a fanatic in some things. I really don’t know where this would land you if you were found out. I’ve lied about it already; I am absolutely up to the neck in lies. I dare say he half suspects me; and in any case I am quite likely to lose my billet. But one thing he can’t do, Luney, he can’t bring it home to me. And now, my son, we have got to take care that he doesn’t bring it home to you.” “I--I think, Jimmy, the courage will be given to me to accept the entire responsibility of my action,” said the young man. “Well, you see,” said James Dodson, with an odd look in his face, “you are such an extraordinary chap altogether, that I’m thinking the consequences might be too much for you. In any case you would have to go from here; and if you once go from here you will never get another billet--not as long as you live will you ever get another billet. And Octavius being, as I say, a bit of a fanatic in some things, it might even be worse for you than that.” “But,” said William Jordan, “I--I think the power will be furnished to me to submit to the consequences of my action.”