been invariably the loser. And it was in his role as a
reformed character that he undertook the management of this social
uplift club.

Well-meaning police officials had warned Mr. Briggerland that Faire had
a bad character. Mr. Briggerland listened, was grateful for the warning,
but explained that Faire had come under the influence of the new uplift
movement, and from henceforward he would be an exemplary citizen. Later,
the police had occasion to extend their warning to its founder. The club
was being used by known criminal characters; men who had already been
in jail and were qualifying for a return visit.

Again Mr. Briggerland pointed to the object of the institution which was
to bring bad men into the society of good men and women, and to arouse
in them a desire for better things. He quoted a famous text with great
effect. But still the police were unconvinced.

It was the practice of Miss Jean Briggerland to receive selected members
of the club and to entertain them at tea in Berkeley Street. Her friends
thought it was very "sweet" and very "daring," and wondered whether she
wasn't afraid of catching some kind of disease peculiar to the East End
of London. But Jean did not worry about such things. On this afternoon,
after the last of her callers had gone, she went down to the little
morning-room where such entertainments occurred and found two men, who
rose awkwardly as she entered.

The gentle influence of the club had not made them look anything but
what they were. "Jail-bird" was written all over them.

"I'm very glad you men have come," said Jean sweetly. "Mr. Hoggins----"

"That's me, miss," said one, with a grin.

"And Mr. Talmot."

The second man showed his teeth.

"I'm always glad to see members of the club," said Jean busy with the
teapot, "especially men who have had so bad a time as you have. You
have only just come out of prison, haven't you, Mr. Hoggins?" she asked
innocently.

Hoggins went red and coughed.

"Yes, miss," he said huskily and added inconsequently, "I didn't do it!"

"I'm sure you were innocent," she said with a smile of sympathy, "and
really if you were guilty I don't think you men are so much to blame.
Look what a bad time you have! What disadvantages you suffer, whilst
here in the West End people are wasting money that really ought to go to
your wives and children."

"That's right," said Mr. Hoggins.

"There's a girl I know who is tremendously rich," Jean prattled on