g a company of men and women whose general
appearance and reckless expressions of countenance seemed to indicate
that they were past redemption. The den in which they sat drinking,
smoking, and gambling consisted of a dirty room fitted with narrow
tables, out of which opened an inner apartment. The door of this had
been removed--probably for firewood in a time of scarcity. Both rooms
were lighted with dim oil-lamps. Some of the company were beggars and
tramps of the lowest type, but most were evidently of the vicious and
criminal order. There was a tendency to unpleasant curiosity in regard
to the stranger, but the thief, whom we may now call Trumps, put an end
to this with a few slang words, and led his friend to a seat in the
inner room, whence he could observe nearly the whole party and all that
went on.

Some of the more intoxicated among them objected to be snubbed by
Trumps, and were beginning to scowl at the visitor, no doubt with
sinister intentions, when the outer door was again opened, and a young
thief, obviously familiar with the place, entered, closely followed by a
respectable-looking man in a surtout and a light topcoat. It required
no second look to tell that the new-comer was a city missionary. Like
our Scot, he had gained admission to the place through the influence of
a friendly thief.

"Hullo, _more_ visitors!" growled a big savage-looking man with an
apron, who proved to be the landlord of the den.

Advancing quickly to this man, the missionary said, in a quiet gentle
tone--

"You supply coffee, I see. May I have a cup?"

"No you mayn't, you spy! I know you, you canting wretch!"

He locked the door as he spoke, and then, striding forward in a towering
rage, threatened vengeance on the intruder. The company, expecting a
scene, rose _en masse_ to their feet, while those in the inner room
crowded to the front. Laidlaw, who was for the moment forgotten in this
new excitement, followed them. He was well enough informed in reference
to the work of the London City Missionaries to understand at a glance
that one of those fearless men had managed to worm his way into the
thieves' den, and was perhaps in danger of his life. That the man
realised his danger was apparent from the fact that he stood erect and
closed his eyes for a moment--evidently in silent prayer for help in the
hour of need. The act probably saved him, for the ferocious landlord,
although ready enough to crush defiance wi