a day--perhaps to their
graves; but I held on to the pick-pocket in spite of them until the
police rescued me. That's how my clothes got damaged. The worst of it
is, the rascals managed to make away with my purse."

"My dear fellow," said Mr Blurt, laughing, "you have been unfortunate.
But most young men have to gather wisdom from experience.--And now, what
of your prospects? Excuse me if I appear inquisitive, but one who is so
deeply indebted to you as I am cannot help feeling interested in your
success."

"I have no prospects," returned the youth, with a tone and look of
bitterness that was not usual to him.

"What do you mean?" asked his friend in surprise, "have you not seen Sir
James Clubley?"

"No, and I don't intend to see him until he has answered my letter. Let
me be plain with you, Mr Blurt. Sir James, I have heard from my
father, is a proud man, and I don't much [half] like the patronising way
in which he offered to assist me. And his insolent procrastination in
replying to my letter has determined me to have nothing more to do with
him. He'll find that I'm as proud as himself."

"My young friend," said Mr Blurt, "I had imagined that a man of your
good sense would have seen that to meet pride with pride is not wise;
besides, to do so is to lay yourself open to the very condemnation which
you pronounce against Sir James. Still further, is it not possible that
your letter to him may have miscarried? Letters will miscarry, you
know, at times, even in such a well-regulated family as the
Post-Office."

"Oh! as to that," returned Aspel quickly, "I've made particular
inquiries, and have no doubt that he got my letter all right.--But the
worst of it is," he continued, evidently wishing to change the subject,
"that, having lost my purse, and having no account at a banker's, I find
it absolutely necessary to work, and, strange to say, I cannot find
work."

"Well, if you have been searching for work with a black eye and a torn
coat, it is not surprising that you have failed to find it," said Mr
Blurt, with a laugh. "But, my dear young friend and preserver," he
added earnestly, "I am glad you have come to me. Ah! if that ship had
not gone down I might have--well, well, the proverb says it's of no use
crying over spilt milk. I have still a little in my power. Moreover,
it so happens that you have it in your power to serve me--that is to
say, if you are not too proud to accept the work I have it in m