I understand you. I don't come here as one of those vile
cattle who hang round stage doors. I want to offer help and sympathy."

"Then you can go away, for she don't want either," said Jones, pointing
to the door.

"My good fellow, I see you are a friend of hers, and I am glad to find
she has one so good and true."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"Can I trust you, Jones?"

"Certainly, sir."

"Then listen. The same man who ruined that girl, and killed her mother,
killed also the girl I loved, the girl I had been engaged to for years.
And I now look for my revenge."

"But what has she to do with it?" asked he, in a softer voice.

"I want to know her. I want her to have her revenge too. I am a rich man
and I am off on his tracks to Australia next Friday."

"I don't think she'd see you, sir. She's never seen a gent since."

"You are an old friend, I can see?"

"Yes, sir, I am. Her dead mother and I were old friends. She was one of
the good sort. She didn't put on airs because her daughter was a great
actress. She used to sit and talk to me every night."

"Jones, you can manage it. Come, we'll go together."

As they drove along very little conversation passed between the two. At
length the cab stopped at a house in a shabby street in Camden Town.
"You stay here, sir, until I've seen her," said Jones, as he knocked at
the door. The curtain was drawn aside for a moment before he was
admitted. Five, ten minutes elapsed, and he did not return. Reg became
impatient, but at last he heard the door open, and Jones was saying,
"You see him, Miss Marjorie, he has a good face." But still she seemed
to hesitate, and Reg, without waiting for more, walked up to her and
grasping her hand, said in an earnest voice:

"Miss Williamson, I _must_ see you."

She offered no further resistance, and Reg passed with her into a small
sitting-room.

"Stay where you are, Jones," said Reg, as he saw him about to leave them
alone. "You can hear all I have to say. Miss Williamson, I have heard
all about your troubles, and I want you to listen to mine:" and again
his sad story was recited.

"Now Miss Williamson I am off to Australia to take vengeance, and I want
you to assist me."

"Assist you! how? Mr. Morris."

"In this way. You are here toiling your life away for a meagre pittance.
You must give it up."

"Indeed I--"

"Stay, let me finish. I want you to clear your name and honour before
the world. I want you to rise again to your