told me a score of times that he and the Ridleys were all right. But
he has not only not paid his lodgings, but he has had money of them: he
has given dinners: he has made Ridley pay for wine. He has kept paying
lodgers out of the house, and he tells me all this with a burst of
tears, when he sent for me to Lazarus's to-night, and I went to him,
sir, because he was in distress--went into the lion's den, sir!" says F.
B., looking round nobly. "I don't know how much he owes them: because of
course you know the sum he mentions ain't the right one. He never does
tell the truth--does Charles. But think of the pluck of those good
Ridleys never saying a single word to F. B. about the debt! 'We are
poor, but we have saved some money and can lie out of it. And we think
Mr. Honeyman will pay us,' says Mrs. Ridley to me this very evening.
And she thrilled my heart-strings, sir; and I took her in my arms, and
kissed the old woman," says Bayham; "and I rather astonished little Miss
Cann, and young J. J., who came in with a picture under his arm. But she
said she had kissed Master Frederick long before J. J. was born--and so
she had: that good and faithful servant--and my emotion in embracing her
was manly, sir, manly."

Here old Betsy came in to say that the supper was a-waitin' for Mr.
Bayham and it was a-getting' very late; and we left F. B. to his
meal; and bidding adieu to Mrs. Nokes, Clive and I went each to our
habitation.

CHAPTER XXVI. In which Colonel Newcome's Horses are sold

At an hour early the next morning I was not surprised to see Colonel
Newcome at my chambers, to whom Clive had communicated Bayham's
important news of the night before. The Colonel's object, as any one who
knew him need scarcely be told, was to rescue his brother-in-law; and
being ignorant of lawyers, sheriffs'-officers, and their proceedings, he
bethought him that he would apply to Lamb Court for information, and in
so far showed some prudence, for at least I knew more of the world and
its ways than my simple client, and was enabled to make better terms
for the unfortunate prisoner, or rather for Colonel Newcome, who was
the real sufferer, than Honeyman's creditors might otherwise have been
disposed to give.

I thought it would be more prudent that our good Samaritan should not
see the victim of rogues whom he was about to succour; and left him to
entertain himself with Mr. Warrington in Lamb Court, while I sped to the
lock-up house, whe