id to himself. "I don't remember ever making
a vow before; I'll keep this vow, so help me Heaven!--I have got to
clear my girl; yes, when all is said and done, she is my girl. I'll
set this thing right before a week is out. Now let me put on my
considering cap--let me try to think of this matter as if I were a
detective. By the way, there's that friend of mine, Sampson, who is in
the detective force; I've a good mind to run round to him and ask his
advice. There's treachery somewhere, and he might give me a wrinkle or
two."

Jim put on his cap, thrust his hands deep into his pockets, and went
out once more. As he was running downstairs he met his landlady--he
was a favorite with her. She accosted him with a civil word, and an
inquiry if he did not want some supper.

"No, thanks," he replied, "I will sup out to-night--good-night, Mrs.
Higgins."

She nodded and smiled.

"I wonder what's up with him," she sad to herself--"how white he do
look! and his eyes sorter dazed--he's a right good fellow, and I wish I
had more like him in the house."

Jim meanwhile was marching quickly in the direction of Sampson's
lodgings. He had been brought up in the country, and had never seen
London until he was seventeen years of age. His great frame and
athletic limbs were all country-bred; he could never lose that
knowledge which had come to him in his boyhood--the knowledge of
climbing and rowing, of fishing and swimming--the power to use all his
limbs. This power had made him big and strong, and London ways and
London life could not greatly affect him. He was very clever and very
steady, and was rising to a good position in the shop. His thoughts
were far away now from his own affairs; they were absorbed with
Alison--with that dreadful shame which surrounded her, and with the vow
he had made to set his dear love straight.

"If there's treachery, Sampson and me will find it out between us," he
said to himself.

He was fortunate in finding Sampson in, and very soon unfolded his
errand.

Sampson was as London-bred as Jim was the reverse. He was a little
fellow, with a face like a ferret; he had sharp-peaked features, a pale
skin with many freckles, very small, keen blue eyes, rather closely set
together, red hair, which he wore short and stuck up straight all over
his small head. His face was clean-shaven, and he had a very alert
look. Sampson did not live in an attic--he had a neat, well-furnished
room, on the thi