heir money's worth. They passed a vote
of sympathy with me, and agreed to wait ten days before they took any
proceedings. Three of them, whose claim came to L3,500, told me that if
I would give them my personal I.O.U., and pay interest at the rate of
five per cent, their amounts might stand over as long as I wished. That
would be a charge of L175 upon my income, but with economy I could meet
it, and it diminishes the debt by one-half."

Again the Admiral burst out cheering.

"There remains, therefore, about L3,200 which has to be found within ten
days. No man shall lose by me. I gave them my word in the room that if I
worked my soul out of my body every one of them should be paid. I shall
not spend a penny upon myself until it is done. But some of them can't
wait. They are poor men themselves, and must have their money. They have
issued a warrant for Pearson's arrest. But they think that he has got
away the States."

"These men shall have their money," said the Admiral.

"Dad!"

"Yes, my boy, you don't know the resources of the family. One never does
know until one tries. What have you yourself now?"

"I have about a thousand pounds invested."

"All right. And I have about as much more. There's a good start. Now,
mother, it is your turn. What is that little bit of paper of yours?"

Mrs. Denver unfolded it, and placed it upon Harold's knee.

"Five thousand pounds!" he gasped.

"Ah, but mother is not the only rich one. Look at this!" And the Admiral
unfolded his cheque, and placed it upon the other knee.

Harold gazed from one to the other in bewilderment. "Ten thousand
pounds!" he cried. "Good heavens! where did these come from?"

"You will not worry any longer, dear," murmured his mother, slipping her
arm round him.

But his quick eye had caught the signature upon one of the cheques.
"Doctor Walker!" he cried, flushing. "This is Clara's doing. Oh, dad, we
cannot take this money. It would not be right nor honorable."

"No, boy, I am glad you think so. It is something, however, to have
proved one's friend, for a real good friend he is. It was he who brought
it in, though Clara sent him. But this other money will be enough to
cover everything, and it is all my own."

"Your own? Where did you get it, dad?"

"Tut, tut! See what it is to have a City man to deal with. It is my own,
and fairly earned, and that is enough."

"Dear old dad!" Harold squeezed his gnarled hand. "And you, mother!
You have lifted t