en you know her well."

"She shows great perspicuity in her judgment. Did you hear her say that
I was sure to get on?" cried Madge; and Theo smiled as at a pleasant
recollection.

"Did you notice how her face softened when we spoke of our trouble? Her
lips drooped, and her eyes grew so soft and liquid. My next heroine
shall have eyes like that."

"And if she helps us to find Barney," sighed Philippa softly, "I shall
bless the name of Minnie Caldecott as long as I live."

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

REJOICINGS.

It can be imagined with what eagerness Steve was greeted on his return
from the City that evening, how he was hurried through his dinner, and
despatched forthwith, in company with the Hermit, to interview "Jim,"
otherwise Mr James Matthews. The time of waiting seemed unbearably
long, but when the two men returned it was at once evident that they
were the bearers of good news. The companion of the newspaper shop had
been found at last, while Barney himself was now on his way to the Cape,
working for his passage in the capacity of steward!

Briefly, the tale which Mr Matthews had to tell was as follows. He had
made the boy's acquaintance in a luncheon-bar, had been attracted by his
breezy, high spirits, and taken some pains to arrange further meetings.
The two had attended theatres and concerts together, and finally Barney
had visited his new friend in his rooms, and become the confidant of
certain betting transactions in which he was in the habit of indulging.
The boy had begun to bet on his own account, had been unlucky, and had
called at the shipping office one day, declaring himself in trouble at
home, and anxious to get out of the country for a time at least Mr
Matthews told him that his only chance was to ship as a steward, and
Barney, being not only willing but eager, was sent to wait his turn at
Southampton, and had been fortunate in finding an opening three days
after his arrival. "Jim," as Miss Caldecott had called him, appeared to
be a good-natured, easy-going individual with little sense of
responsibility. When sternly questioned by Steve as to whether he
considered it right to encourage a boy of seventeen to bet, he smilingly
declared that "every one did it--even the little office-boys put their
coppers on the races;" and refused altogether to acknowledge that he
should have consulted Barney's friends before sending him abroad.

"But you were the very people he wanted to avoid. There i