ief, Duval left the office. Dawkins stole a
side glance at Paul, to see what impression the interview had made upon
him, but our hero, who had overheard some portions of the dialogue,
perceiving that Dawkins wished it to be private, took as little notice
of the visitor as possible. He could not help thinking, however, that
Duval was a man whose acquaintance was likely to be of little benefit to
his fellow clerk.

Throughout the day Dawkins appeared unusually nervous, and made several
blunders which annoyed Mr. Danforth. Evidently he had something on his
mind. Not to keep the reader in suspense, George had fallen among bad
companions, where he had learned both to drink and to gamble. In this
way he had made the acquaintance of Duval, an unscrupulous sharper, who
had contrived to get away all his ready money, and persuading him to
play longer in the hope of making up his losses had run him into debt
one hundred and fifty dollars. Dawkins gave him an acknowledgment of
indebtedness to that amount. This of course placed him in Duval's power,
since he knew of no means of raising such a sum. He therefore kept out
of the Frenchman's way, avoiding the old haunts where he would have been
likely to meet him. Dawkins supposed Duval ignorant of the whereabouts
of his employer's counting-room. So he had been, but he made it his
business to ascertain where it was. He had no idea of losing sight of so
valuable a prize.

Dawkins would willingly have broken the appointment he had made with
Duval, but he did not dare to do so. He knew that the man was well
able to annoy him, and he would not on any account have had the affair
disclosed to his father or Mr. Danforth.

As Trinity clock struck eight, he entered a low bar-room in the
neighborhood of the docks.

A young man with pale, sandy hair stood behind the counter with his
sleeves rolled up. He was supplying the wants of a sailor who already
appeared to have taken more drink than was good for him.

"Good evening, Mr. Dawkins," said he, "you're a stranger."

"Is Duval in?" inquired Dawkins, coldly. His pride revolted at the place
and company. He had never been here but once before, having met Duval
elsewhere.

"He's up in his room. John show the young gentleman up to No. 9. Won't
you have a glass of something this evening?"

"No," said Dawkins, abruptly.

The boy preceded him up a dark and dirty staircase.

"That's the room, sir," he said.

"Stop a minute," said Dawkins, "he