ll everything else has failed, till
your own resources and cunning have been exhausted to the last dregs,
before you turn and say this!

The boy uttered the words involuntarily, not intending that they should
be heard. Little he thought Cripps or any one would heed them. But
Cripps did heed them. His quick ear caught the words, and they _had_ a
meaning for him; for he might be able to cheat and browbeat and swindle
a boy, but when it came to dealing no longer with the boy, but with the
boy's father, Cripps was sharp enough to know that was a very different
matter. He had relied on the boy's fears of exposure and his dread of
his father's anger to carry his extortions to the utmost limit with
confidence. But now he had gone a step too far. When, in his
desperation, the boy naturally turned to the very being he had all along
most carefully kept ignorant of his proceedings, it was time for Cripps
to pull up.

He stopped Loman as he was going away, with a laugh, as he said, in his
old tones, "Steady there, young gentleman, what a hurry you are in! A
man can't have a little bit of fun, just to see how you like it, but
there you go, and give it all up, and go and get yourself into a regular
perspiration! Tell the governor, indeed! You don't suppose I'd let you
get yourself into such a mess as all that, do you? No, no. You shall
have the bill, my man, never fear."

"Oh, thank you, Cripps, thank you!" cried Loman, in a sudden convulsion
of gratitude and relief.

"'Pon my word, I might take offence, that I might, at your wanting the
paper. As if _I'd_ ever take advantage of a young gentleman like you!
No, no; honesty's the best policy for us poor folks as well as for you
nobs. No one can say I defrauded any one."

"Oh, no, of course not," cried Loman, enthusiastically. "I should like
to see any one who did!"

Mr Cripps, smiling sweetly and modestly, went to his cupboard, and
after a good deal of fumbling and search, produced the little slip of
blue paper he was looking for.

"Is that it?" cried the excited Loman.

"Looks like it," said Cripps, unfolding it and reading out, with his
back to the boy, "`Three months after date I promise to pay George
Cripps thirty-five pounds, value received. Signed, E. Loman.' That's
about it, eh, young gentleman? Well, blessed if I ain't a soft-hearted
chap after the doing you've given me over this here business. Look
here; here goes."

And so saying, Mr Cripps first