oor.

"What's that?" asked Mrs Birtwell, a little startled at the unusual
sound.

They listened, and heard the voice of a man saying, in an excited tone:

"I must see her!"

Then came the noise of a struggle, as though the waiter were trying to
prevent the forcible entry of some one.

Mrs. Birtwell started to her feet in evident alarm. Mr. Elliott was
crossing to the parlor door, when it was thrown open with considerable
violence, and he stood face to face with Mr. Ridley.

CHAPTER XXIII.

ON leaving the clergyman's residence, baffled in his efforts to get the
wine he had hoped to obtain, Mr. Ridley strode hurriedly away, almost
running, as though in fear of pursuit. After going for a block or two
he stopped suddenly, and stood with an irresolute air for several
moments. Then he started forward again, moving with the same rapid
speed. His face was strongly agitated and nearly colorless. His eyes
were restless, glancing perpetually from side to side.

There was no pause now until he reached the doors of a large hotel in
the centre of the city. Entering, he passed first into the reading-room
and looked through it carefully, then stood in the office for several
minutes, as if waiting for some one. While here a gentleman who had
once been a client came in, and was going to the clerk's desk to make
some inquiry, when Ridley stepped forward, and calling him by name,
reached out his hand. It was not taken, however. The man looked at him
with an expression of annoyance and disgust, and then passed him
without a word.

A slight tinge of color came into Ridley's pale face. He bit his lips
and clenched his hands nervously.

From the office he went to the bar-room. At the door he met a
well-known lawyer with whom he had crossed swords many times in
forensic battles oftener gaining victory than suffering defeat. There
was a look of pity in the eyes of this man when they rested upon him.
He suffered his hand to be taken by the poor wretch, and even spoke to
him kindly.

"B----," said Ridley as he held up one of his hands and showed its
nerveless condition, "you see where I am going?"

"I do, my poor fellow!" replied the man; "and if you don't stop short,
you will be at the end of your journey sooner than you anticipate."

"I can't stop; it's too late. For God's sake get me a glass of brandy!
I haven't tasted a drop since morning."

His old friend and associate saw how it was--saw that his
over-stimulated ne