amount of wealth could undo the ruin caused by
poverty.

It was natural for him, as soon as he could think with deliberation, to
turn towards his only friend. But on calling at the house in Clipstone
Street he found the garret empty, and no one could tell him when its
occupant was likely to be back. He left a note, and made his way back
to Islington. The evening had to be spent at the hospital, but on his
return Biffen sat waiting for him.

'You called about twelve, didn't you?' the visitor inquired.

'Half-past.'

'I was at the police-court. Odd thing--but it always happens so--that
I should have spoken of Sykes the other night. Last night I came upon
a crowd in Oxford Street, and the nucleus of it was no other than Sykes
himself very drunk and disorderly, in the grip of two policemen. Nothing
could be done for him; I was useless as bail; he e'en had to sleep in
the cell. But I went this morning to see what would become of him. Such
a spectacle when they brought him forward! It was only five shillings
fine, and to my astonishment he produced the money. I joined him
outside--it required a little courage--and had a long talk with him.
He's writing a London Letter for some provincial daily, and the first
payment had thrown him off his balance.'

Reardon laughed gaily, and made inquiries about the eccentric gentleman.
Only when the subject was exhausted did he speak of his own concerns,
relating quietly what he had learnt from Mrs Yule. Biffen's eyes
widened.

'So,' Reardon cried with exultation, 'there is the last burden off my
mind! Henceforth I haven't a care! The only thing that still troubled
me was my inability to give Amy enough to live upon. Now she is provided
for in secula seculorum. Isn't this grand news?'

'Decidedly. But if she is provided for, so are you.'

'Biffen, you know me better. Could I accept a farthing of her
money? This has made our coming together again for ever impossible,
unless--unless dead things can come to life. I know the value of money,
but I can't take it from Amy.'

The other kept silence.

'No! But now everything is well. She has her child, and can devote
herself to bringing the boy up. And I--but I shall be rich on my own
account. A hundred and fifty a year; it would be a farce to offer
Amy her share of it. By all the gods of Olympus, we will go to Greece
together, you and I!'

'Pooh!'

'I swear it! Let me save for a couple of years, and then get a good
month's holiday