life. They say that you're the king pin where you came from."
He eyed K. wistfully. "I know it's a damn lie, but if it's true--"

"I used to be a surgeon. As a matter of fact I operated on Dr. Wilson
to-day. I--I am rather apologetic, Jack, because I didn't explain to
you sooner. For--various reasons--I gave up that--that line of business.
To-day they rather forced my hand."

"Don't you think you could do something for me, sir?"

When K. did not reply at once, he launched into an explanation.

"I've been lying here a good while. I didn't say much because I knew I'd
have to take a chance. Either I'd pull through or I wouldn't, and the
odds were--well, I didn't say much. The old lady's had a lot of trouble.
But now, with THIS under my pillow for her, I've got a right to ask.
I'll take a chance, if you will."

"It's only a chance, Jack."

"I know that. But lie here and watch these soaks off the street. Old, a
lot of them, and gettin' well to go out and starve, and--My God! Mr. Le
Moyne, they can walk, and I can't."

K. drew a long breath. He had started, and now he must go on. Faith in
himself or no faith, he must go on. Life, that had loosed its hold on
him for a time, had found him again.

"I'll go over you carefully to-morrow, Jack. I'll tell you your chances
honestly."

"I have a thousand dollars. Whatever you charge--"

"I'll take it out of my board bill in the new house!"

At four o'clock that morning K. got back from seeing Joe off. The trip
had been without accident.

Over Sidney's letter Joe had shed a shamefaced tear or two. And during
the night ride, with K. pushing the car to the utmost, he had felt that
the boy, in keeping his hand in his pocket, had kept it on the letter.
When the road was smooth and stretched ahead, a gray-white line into the
night, he tried to talk a little courage into the boy's sick heart.

"You'll see new people, new life," he said. "In a month from now you'll
wonder why you ever hung around the Street. I have a feeling that you're
going to make good down there."

And once, when the time for parting was very near,--"No matter what
happens, keep on believing in yourself. I lost my faith in myself once.
It was pretty close to hell."

Joe's response showed his entire self-engrossment.

"If he dies, I'm a murderer."

"He's not going to die," said K. stoutly.

At four o'clock in the morning he left the car at the garage and walked
around to the little house. He had had n