issionary, Sam looked at the stranger in surprise, but
could not see his face because of the disreputable wide-awake which he
wore. But great was his astonishment, not to say alarm, when he felt
two or three warm tears drop on his hand.

Again he tried to pull it away, but the strange man held it tighter.
Still further, he bent his head over it and kissed it.

A strange unaccountable thrill ran through the boy's frame. He stooped,
looked under the brim of the hat, and beheld his father!

"Sammy--dear, dear Sammy," whispered the man, in a husky voice.

But Sammy could not reply. He was thunderstruck. Neither could his
father speak, for he was choking.

But Reggie North had heard enough. He was quick-witted, and at once
guessed the situation.

"Now then, old gen'lm'n," he whispered, "don't you go an' make a fuss,
if you're wise. Go out as quiet as you came in, an' leave this young
'un to me. It's all right. I'm on _your_ side."

Samuel Twitter senior was impressed with the honesty of the man's
manner, and the wisdom of his advice. Letting go the hand, after a
parting squeeze, he rose up and left the room. Two minutes later, North
and Sammy followed.

They found the old father outside, who again grasped his son's hand with
the words, "Sammy, my boy--dear Sammy;" but he never got further than
that.

Number 666 was there too.

"You'll find the cab at the end of the street, sir," he said, and next
moment Sammy found himself borne along--not unwillingly--by North and
his father.

A cab door was opened. A female form was seen with outstretched arms.

"Mother!"

"Sammy--darling--"

The returning prodigal disappeared into the cab. Mr Twitter turned
round.

"Thank you. God bless you, whoever you are," he said, fumbling in his
vest pocket; having forgotten that he represented an abject beggar, and
had no money there.

"No thanks to me, sir. Look higher," said the Bible-seller, thrusting
the old gentleman almost forcibly into the vehicle. "Now then, cabby,
drive on."

The cabby obeyed. Having already received his instructions he did not
drive home. Where he drove to is a matter of small consequence. It was
to an unknown house, and a perfect stranger to Sammy opened the door.
Mrs Twitter remained in the cab while Sammy and his father entered the
house, the latter carrying a bundle in his hand. They were shown into
what the boy must have considered--if he considered anything at all just
then-