could find no clue to him, for the good reason
that Mr Bones had taken special care to entice Aspel into a distant
locality, under pretence of putting him in the way of finding
semi-nautical employment about the docks. Moreover, he managed to make
Aspel drunk, and arranged with boon companions to strip him, while in
that condition, of his garments, and re-clothe him in the seedy garb
peculiar to those gentlemen who live by their wits.

"Very strange," muttered Aspel, on recovering sufficiently to be led by
his friend towards Archangel Court,--"very strange that I did not feel
the scoundrels robbing me. I must have slept very soundly."

"Yes, you slep' wery sound, and they're a bad lot, and uncommon sharp in
that neighbourhood. It's quite celebrated. I tried to get you away,
but you was as obstinate as a mule, an' kep' on singing about some sort
o' coves o' the old times that must have bin bigger blackguards than we
'ave about us now-a-days, though the song calls 'em glorious."

"Well, well," said Aspel, shrinking under the public gaze as he passed
through the streets, "don't talk about that. Couldn't you get into some
by-lanes, where there are not so many people? I don't like to be seen,
even by strangers, in this disreputable guise. I wish the sun didn't
shine so brightly. Come, push on, man."

"W'y, sir," said Bones, becoming a little more respectful in spite of
himself, "you've no need to be ashamed of your appearance. There's not
'alf a dozen people in a mile walk in London as would look twice at you
whatever appearance you cut--so long as it was only disreputable."

"Never mind--push on," said Aspel sternly; "I _am_ ashamed whether I
have need to be or not. I'm a fool. I'm more--I'm a brute. I tell you
what it is, Bones, I'm determined to turn over a new leaf. I'll write
to Mr Blurt and tell him where I am, for, of course, I can't return to
him in such clothes as these, and--and--I'll give up drink."

Bones met this remark with an unexpected and bitter laugh.

"What d'you mean?" demanded Aspel, turning fiercely upon him.

"I mean," replied Bones, returning his stare with the utmost coolness,
"that you _can't_ give up drink, if you was to try ever so much. You're
too far gone in it. I've tried it myself, many a time, and failed,
though I've about as strong a will as your own--maybe stronger."

"We shall see," returned Aspel, as they moved on again and turned into
the lane which led to the wret