e wine, Mr. Elliott--just one glass." Thus he kept on
pleading for the stimulant his insatiable appetite was craving. "I'm a
drowning man. The floods are about me. I am sinking in dark waters. And
you can save me if you will!"

Seeing denial still on the clergyman's face, Mr. Ridley's manner
changed, becoming angry and violent.

"You will not?" he cried, starting from the chair in which he had been
sitting and advancing toward Mr. Elliott.

"I cannot. I dare not. You have been drinking too much already,"
replied the clergyman, stepping back as Mr. Ridley came forward until
he reached the bell-rope, which he jerked violently. The door of his
study opened instantly. His servant, not, liking the visitor's
appearance, had remained in the hall outside and came in the moment he
heard the bell. On seeing him enter, Mr. Ridley turned from the
clergyman and stood like one at bay. His eyes had a fiery gleam; there
was anger on his brow and defiance in the hard lines of his mouth. He
scowled at the servant threateningly. The latter, a strong and resolute
man, only waited for an order to remove the visitor, which he would
have done in a very summary way, but Mr. Elliott wanted no violence.

The group formed a striking tableau, and to any spectator who could
have viewed it one of intense interest. For a little while Mr. Ridley
and the servant stood scowling at each other. Then came a sudden
change. A start, a look of alarm, followed by a low cry of fear, and
Mr. Ridley sprang toward the door, and was out of the room and hurrying
down stairs before a movement could be made to intercept him, even if
there had been on the part of the other two men any wish to do so.

Mr. Elliott stood listening to the sound of his departing feet until
the heavy jar of the outer door resounded through the passages and all
became still. A motion of his hand caused the servant to retire, As he
went out Mr. Elliott sank into a chair. His face had become pale and
distressed. He was sick at heart and sorely troubled. What did all this
mean? Had his unconsidered words brought forth fruit like this? Was he
indeed responsible for the fall of a weak brother and all the sad and
sorrowful consequences which had followed? He was overwhelmed, crushed
down, agonized by the thought, It was the bitterest moment in all his
life.

CHAPTER XXI.

MR. ELLIOTT still sat in a kind of helpless maze when his servant came
in with the card of Mrs. Spencer Birtwell