e result. He avoided the main street
as much as possible, but he intended to obtain his information from Mr.
Nagle at the Bell.

As to Jim, he went home, changed his clothes and went out again. He
walked up and down the street, and presently met Tom.

"Mr. Catchpole," he said, "will you please come along o' me?"

There was something of authority in the tone of Jim's voice, and yet
something which forbade all fear. Tom followed him in silence, and they
went to the Terrace. Mr. Furze was not at home, but Jim knew he would
back directly, and they waited in the kitchen, Tom much wondering, but
restrained by some strange compulsion--he could not say what--not only to
remain, but to refrain from asking any questions. Directly Mr. Furze
returned, Jim went upstairs, with Tom behind him, and to the amazement of
Mr. and Mrs. Furze presented him in the dining-room.

"What is the meaning of this?" said Mrs. Furze.

"Mrs. Furze," said Jim, "will you please excuse me, and allow me to speak
for this once? I don't see Miss Catharine here. I want yer to send for
her. Wot I've got to say, I mean to say afore you all."

Catharine was in her bedroom. She came down wrapped up in a shawl, and
Jim stood up.

"Mr. Furze, Mrs. Furze, Miss Catharine, and you, Mr. Catchpole, you see
afore you the biggest liar as ever was, and one as deserves to go to
hell, if ever any man did. Everything agin Mr. Catchpole was all trumped
up, for he never had Humphries' money, and it was me as put the marked
sovereign in his pocket. I was tempted by the devil and by--but the Lord
'as 'ad mercy on me and 'as saved my body and soul this day. I can't
speak no more, but 'ere I am if I'm to be locked up and transported as I
deserve."

"Never," said Tom.

"You say never, Mr. Catchpole. Very well, then: on my knees I axes your
pardon, and you won't see me agin." Jim actually knelt down. "May the
Lord forgive me, and do you forgive me, Mr. Catchpole, for being such a--"
(Jim was about to use a familiar word, but checked himself, and contented
himself with one which is blasphemous but also orthodox)--"such a damned
sinner."

He rose, walked out, left Eastthorpe that night, and nothing more was
heard of him for years. Then there came news from an Eastthorpe man, who
had gone to America, that Jim was at work at Pittsburg; that he was also
a preacher of God's Word, and that by God's grace he had brought hundreds
to a knowledge of their Saviour.