ered awhile where he
could be, then asked himself why on earth he had come here. It didn't
matter much; he could strike off by the Midland to Polterham, and be
there before noon. And again he slept.

When he had breakfasted, he called to the waiter and asked him how far
it was to that part of the town called Hotwells. Learning that the road
thither would bring him near to Clifton, he nodded with satisfaction.
Clifton was a place to be seen; on a bright morning like this it would
be pleasant to walk over the Downs and have a look at the gorge of the
Avon.

A cab was called. With one foot raised he stood in uncertainty, whilst
the driver asked him twice whither they were to go. At length he said
"Hotwells," and named a street in that locality. He lay back and closed
his eyes, remaining thus until the cab stopped.

Hastily he looked about him. He was among poor houses, and near to
docks; the masts of great ships appeared above roofs. With a quick
movement he drew a coin from his pocket, tossed it up, caught it
between his hands. The driver had got down and was standing at the door.

"This the place? Thanks; I'll get out."

He looked at the half-crown, smiled, and handed it to the cabman.

In a few minutes he stood before an ugly but decent house, which had a
card in the window intimating that lodgings were here to let. His knock
brought a woman to the door.

"I think Mr. North lives here?"

"Yes, sir, he do live yere," the woman answered, in a simple tone.
"Would you wish for to see him?"

"Please ask him if he could see a gentleman on business--Mr. Marks."

"But he ben't in, sir, not just now. He"----she broke off and pointed
up the street. "Why, there he come, I declare!"

"The tall man?"

"That be he, sir."

Glazzard moved towards the person indicated, a man of perhaps thirty,
with a good figure, a thin, sallow face, clean-shaven, and in rather
shabby clothes. He went close up to him and said gravely:

"Mr. North, I have just called to see you on business."

The young man suppressed a movement of uneasiness, drew in his lank
cheeks, and looked steadily at the speaker.

"What name?" he asked, curtly, with the accent which represents some
degree of liberal education.

"Mr. Marks. I should like to speak to you in private."

"Has any one sent you?"

"No, I have taken the trouble to find where you were living. It's
purely my own affair. I think it will be to your interest to talk with
me."

The oth