"We are only staying here for the night. We
live in the country. This is a boarding place, and we have been here
before. We are very grateful to you for your kindness, sir, and we
shall never forget you."

"It's all in the night's work," the policeman replied. "But be careful
of that money. Keep a good watch over it."

"Indeed I shall," and the girl hugged it close to her breast. "It
means so much to us."

The policeman moved away, and then stopped and watched the house for a
few minutes after the old man and the girl had entered the building.

"Good Lord! what innocents," he muttered to himself. "They wouldn't
have got half a block with that money if I hadn't been along. I wonder
how they'll make out getting away. Live in the country, the girl said.
They should stay there, then. The city's certainly no place for such
as them."

CHAPTER II

WHERE FLOWS THE TIDE

After Douglas Stanton had handed back the violin to the blind musician,
he stood a little distance off and watched to see what would happen.
He felt quite interested in the old man and the girl, and longed to
know something about them. Why were they thus appealing to the crowds
for money? The man did not seem like the ordinary street musician, as
there was something dignified and refined in his manner. The girl was
unusually timid. He could not forget the big blue eyes which had
turned to him in gratitude for his assistance, and he had noticed how
clean and neat was her simple dress.

"Queer couple that, sir; mere babies."

The man turned suddenly and saw the police sergeant standing by his
side.

"Do you know who they are?" Douglas enquired.

"No; never saw them before. But they're such kids that I feel sorry
for them, and so ordered Hawkins to see that they got safe home."

"It was good of you, Sergeant, to do that. But, say, I didn't know you
were on this beat. When did you leave the water-front?"

"Last night, sir. Flemming's down there now. You know him, I think;
he was with me for a while last spring when things were lively there."

"Yes, I remember quite well. He helped us in that Fenston row."

"He's the one, and a good man, too. But I did like that beat, as I was
on it so long. It is too tame up here, and you know I'm fond of a bit
of excitement now and then."

"You got it down there all right, didn't you, especially when the docks
were full?"

"You bet," and the sergeant smacked his lips as past scenes