for me to say. What they
did not talk about in the past, the present, and the future would be
almost easier to set down. And when at last Mrs Cruden rose, and in
her old familiar tones said,--

"It's time to go to bed, boys," the boys obeyed, as in the days long
ago, and came up to her and kissed her, and then went off like children,
and slept, like those who never knew what care was, all the happy night.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

TURNING OVER LEAVES, NEW AND OLD.

A very few words more, reader, and my story is done.

The trial of Medlock and Shanklin took place in due time, and among the
witnesses the most important, but the most reluctant, was Reginald
Cruden. It was like a hateful return to the old life to find himself
face to face with those men, and to have to tell over again the story of
their knavery and his own folly. But he went through with it like a
man.

The prisoners, who were far more at their ease than the witness,
troubled him with no awkward cross-examination, and when presently the
jury retired, he retired too, having neither the curiosity nor the
vindictiveness to remain and hear their sentence.

On his way out a familiar voice accosted him.

"Cruden, old man, will you shake hands? I've been a cad to you, but I'm
sorry for it now."

It was Blandford, looking weak and pale, with one arm still in a sling.

Reginald took his proffered hand eagerly and wrung it.

"I've been bitten over this affair, as you know," continued Blandford,
"and I've paid up for my folly. I wish I could come out of it all with
as easy a conscience as you do, that's all! Among them all I've lost a
good deal more than money; but if you and Horrors will take me back in
your set there'll be a chance for me yet. I'm going to University
College, you know, so I shall be staying in town. Harker and I will
probably be lodging together, and it won't be my fault if it's far away
from your quarters."

And arm in arm the old schoolfellows walked, with their backs on the
dark past and their faces turned hopefully to the future.

Had Reginald remained to hear the end of the trial, he would have found
himself the object of a demonstration he little counted on.

The jury having returned with their expected verdict, and sentence
having been passed on the prisoners, the counsel for the prosecution got
up and asked his lordship for leave to make one observation. He spoke
in the name of the various victims of the sham Corp