ridge muttered something which I could not understand, and Mr.
Parsons shook his head with a significant frown.

'Trust me for that,' he answered. 'Come along, Jacky! Handsome is that
handsome does, you know.'

A few minutes later we were again out in the street, and while any
casual passer-by would have imagined that I was accompanied by an
affectionate old gentleman who held my arm, I knew very well what was
his real motive. It was a hot afternoon, and presently we took an
omnibus to Oxford Circus, where we at once turned down a side street.

'I dare say you are thirsty, my lad,' he exclaimed, suddenly. 'Now, two
or three doors from here there's a nice shop where they sell delicious
ginger-beer--a penny the bottle. Go and get yourself a bottle, Jacky.'

'I--I don't want any,' I answered, as he took a coin from his pocket.

'Jacky,' he said, looking full into my face, 'you will find it always
best to do as you're told. Go and get yourself a bottle of ginger-beer,
my lad.'

CHAPTER XVIII.

Taking the two-shilling-piece, I walked on and entered the small shop,
where a clean-looking woman stood behind the counter. Opening a bottle
of ginger-beer, she poured the contents into a glass, counting out the
change for the florin while I drank. In the meantime Mr. Parsons was
waiting directly outside the door, and the moment I reached his side he
again gripped my arm.

'Change!' he muttered, whereupon I put the one and elevenpence into his
shaky hand.

When we had walked a little farther, he stopped at another shop--a
tobacconist's this time.

'Just go in there and buy me a box of wax lights,' he said, giving me
half-a-crown.

Accordingly I entered the shop, where a young man was smoking a
cigarette just within the door.

'A box of wax lights,' I cried, placing the money on the counter. Having
given what I asked for, the man began to examine the coin. He rang it
on the counter, he tried it with his teeth, and then he looked curiously
into my face.

[Illustration: "'Take off your jacket,' Mr. Parsons said."]

'Haven't you got any smaller change?' he asked.

'No,' I answered, and, with another curious glance, he examined the
half-crown again, and finally gave me the change.

(_Continued on page 158._)

INSECT WAYS AND MEANS.

IV.--HOW INSECTS SEE.

Of the five senses, sight is to mankind undoubtedly the most precious.
The changes of the seasons, the beauty of scenery, sunset and sunrise,
th