ank. He kissed her, and talked to her, and hurried her and
Netta to dress for a drive in the park with him, until he made her
forget to obtain possession of the letter, and so far his fraud
prospered.

A few mornings after he had received the money, he had a note from Mr
Deep, containing the intelligence of the return from abroad of Sir
Samuel Spendall, and that his attorneys were investigating his affairs.
As soon as he received this note, he went by a succession of omnibuses
to the east of London, and, as it chanced, into his brother-in-law's
parish. In this parish there was a wretched-looking suburb, inhabited
principally by Jews, whose houses were, unlike the whited sepulchres
metaphorically used in scripture to describe the hearts of their race,
most unclean without, but magnificent within. Into many of these
dwellings Howel went in the hope of raising money, but without success.
His credit was at zero.

In a desolate, but somewhat more respectable-looking house of the same
parish, he hired a couple of rooms, giving his name as Mr Mills, and
paying a week's rent in advance.

He was walking up this street, looking for a cab, when he was suddenly
accosted by his brother-in-law, Rowland Prothero.

'You are coming to see me, Howel, I am so glad,' said Rowland, as they
shook hands.

'Not to-day; I am here on a little business, and in a great hurry.'

Howel walked on, but Rowland accompanied him.

'You were all out when I called yesterday,' said Rowland, 'and I
particularly wanted to see you, Howel. When will you be at home?'

'It is impossible to say.'

'It is on your own account; it is about Sir Samuel Spendall that I wish
to speak.'

Howel turned pale, and stood still for a moment, looking round him as he
did so to see that no one was listening.

'What of him?'

'Sir Philip told me that he had been heard to say he would dispute your
right to his property, for you had acquired it by unfair means.'

'The scoundrel!' cried Howel, turning pale. 'You have always something
agreeable to communicate when we do meet. It is well it is so seldom, Mr
Rowland Prothero.'

'Oh, Howel! hear me whilst it is yet time, and clear yourself from the
imputations to which I cannot shut my ears. My eyes, alas! have been
long opened, and I would have helped you, but neither Netta nor you will
listen.'

'Cab!' shouted Howel, and a cab drew up, and Howel jumped into it, with
a 'good morning,' leaving Rowland looking mournfull