rself--a favor for
another? Let's hear what it's about. You've certainly excited my
curiosity, and don't hesitate a bit about it. I shall be only too
willing to do anything that lies in my power, if it pleases you."

The words were most kind, and the smile that accompanied them even more
so.

Darry flushed with a sense of coming victory, for something told him he
was in line to win out, and that the money-shark would be cheated of his
prey.

"I want to borrow a hundred dollars, sir," he said, slowly.

Paul laughed as if amused.

Immediately taking out his pocket-book he withdrew from it a bank bill of
a large denomination and handed it to his companion, who received it in
an embarrassed way.

"There you are, Darry, and there is no loan about it. I owe you many
times that much for your assistance. Now, don't say anything about it,
for I am not used to being crossed. It's a mere bagatelle to me, as you
must know. Some time if you feel like it you may tell me the
circumstances that have arisen; but not until you're good and ready. I'm
only too delighted to be of a little help."

"I'm going to tell you all about it right here. It's only fair you
should know where your money is going, sir. As soon as I get my breath
you shall hear," went on Darry, fingering the hundred dollar bill as
though he could hardly believe his senses.

Never did a bill of like denomination seem to carry more happiness in
its touch; he could easily picture the light that would dawn upon the
worried features of Mrs. Peake when he handed her that mortgage,
canceled, and Abner, too, how he would be likely to throw up his hat in
the air and shout like a boy.

Paul Singleton had been observing him curiously, but with kindling eyes,
as if he saw more and more in this boy to admire; he could give
something of a guess as to what was coming, and hence was not much
surprised a little later when he heard the story of Darius Quarles and
his long-slumbering revenge.

He laughed heartily at the quaint way in which Abner had hinted about
Nancy tumbling overboard on purpose, in order to discover which of her
lovers was the better man.

"I've met the lady, and to tell the truth I really believe she would
have been equal to such a prank some years back. There's a lurking
spirit of mischief in her eyes to this day, though I know she has met
with a great grief lately, for I heard all about poor little Joe," Paul
said, after Darry had finished.

"You can