rom me; but I had sense enough to keep out of his clutches, as
I had noticed him managing the cards unfairly when playing with others.

"I can't say that I felt any particular regret when he had to take
himself off out of the neighbourhood. There were no ties that could
really bind us together; for, indeed, how can there be any real union
where the closest bond is a common hatred of that gospel which is so
truly, as I am thankful to say I have myself found it, the religion of
love? I scarcely missed him, and seldom thought of him, and was rather
startled when, a few days ago, he made himself known to me in the
twilight.

"We were alone, and I was going to pass on with a civil word; but he
begged me to stop, and in such a tone of voice as rather touched me. He
then reminded me that we had been companions in evil, and said that he
had heard of the change that had taken place in me. He added that he
was very unhappy, that he hated himself for his past wicked life, and
that as I used to stand his friend formerly when he needed a helping
hand, he hoped I would show that my change was a real one by my
willingness to give an old mate a lift over the stile and into the same
way of peace in which I professed to be walking myself. He had much to
tell me and ask of me, he said; but he was afraid of being discovered by
the police, spite of his disguise. Would I meet him at Cricketty Hall,
he should feel safe there.

"I did not know what to say. I could not get rid of my suspicions,
notwithstanding his changed tone and manner. He saw it, and said: `You
doubt my sincerity. Well, I suppose you'll agree that when a man's
sincerity gets into his pocket it's pretty sure to be genuine. Now,
you've lent me money at different times, and I never paid any of it
back. I've reckoned it up, and it comes altogether to three pounds ten
shillings. Here it is; and many thanks to you for lending it me. I'm
only sorry that I was not an honest man before.'

"I hardly knew what to say; however, I took the money, for I knew that
it was due to me. `Well, will you trust me now?' he asked. `Meet me,
Levi, to-morrow night just after dark outside my house,' I said, `and I
will tell you then.' He hesitated a little, and then said, `Very well,'
and left me. I was sorely puzzled, and could not tell what to think.
And then at last it occurred to me that perhaps it was wrong in me to
hang back. There _might_ be a real change beginning even in