r person you
alluded to?"

"I can be perfectly clear. I passed the other person going in the
opposite direction, before I joined Rydal. On the way back I saw Absalom
again, and he was with the Chinaman whom I already mentioned; they did
not notice me, and they were talking eagerly; my mind was overful of
other things, and you will understand that I did not think of them then,
but, as far as I remember, they went towards the fishermen's quarter on
the river bank. I cannot be sure of this."

Coryndon did not stir; the gloom was deep now, and yet neither of the
men thought of calling for lights.

"And the Chinaman?"

Heath flung out his arms with a violent gesture.

"He had seen and recognized Rydal, and he had the craftiness to realize
that his knowledge was of value. Next day everyone in Mangadone knew
that the hue and cry was out after the absconded clerk. He had betrayed
his trust, cheated and defrauded his employers, and left his wife to die
alone, for she died that night, and I was with her. That was the story
in Mangadone. It was known in the Bazaar, and how or when it came to the
ears of the Chinaman I cannot tell you, but out of his knowledge he came
to me, and I paid him to keep silence. He has come several times of
late, and I will give him no more money. Rydal is safe. I have heard
from him, and the law will hardly catch him now. I know my complicity, I
know my own danger, but I have never regretted it." Again the surging
flood of passion swept into Heath's voice. "What is my life or my
reputation set against the value of one living soul? Rydal is working
honestly, his penitence is no mere matter of protestation, his whole
nature has been strengthened by the awful experience he has passed
through. How it may appear to others I cannot say, and do not greatly
care. In the eyes of God I am vindicated, and stand clear of blame."

He towered gaunt against the light from the window behind him, and
though Coryndon could not see his face, he knew that it was lighted with
a great rapture of self-denial and spiritual glory.

"You need fear no further trouble from the boy," he said, rising to his
feet. "I can tell you that definitely. I am neither a judge nor a
bishop, Mr. Heath, but I can tell you honestly from my heart that I
think you were justified."

He went out into the darkness that had come black over the evening
during the hour he had sat with Heath, and as he walked back to the
bungalow he thought of t