Strangely enough, Dene's spirits seemed lightened by the scene with

Heyton; perhaps he had found that peculiar satisfaction which comes to

all of us when we have relieved our minds by telling a man who has

behaved badly and injured us what we think of him. But this hypothesis

does not altogether account for the uplifting of Dene's mind. He had

been going to commit suicide, because he was assured that everybody

would regard him as one of the meanest of creatures, a forger and passer

of a "stumer" cheque; but suddenly, at the tragical moment, an angel, in

the guise of a young girl, had appeared, snatched the revolver from his

hand, and saved him by just telling him that she believed him innocent.

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It seemed to him that this guardian angel of his was hovering about him

still; that it was incumbent upon him to carry out his pact with her,

and to escape the fate that had threatened him, and, indeed, threatened

him still. So centred were his thoughts on this girl, whose very name he

did not know, so buoyed up was he by her wonderful goodness to him, that

he had to remind himself he was still in danger. Perhaps, after all,

that fact was not without its compensations; for Youth, when it goes

with strength, and a clear brain, loves adventure, and enjoys pitting

itself against any kind of foe. Here was he, an innocent man, flying

from Injustice; he was to find out, perhaps for the first time in his

life, what his wits were worth.

As he walked quickly, but not too hurriedly, through the shady streets

towards the river, he considered the situation. If they were keen on the

pursuit, the police would no doubt already have set a watch at the

various ports; and it would be useless for him to attempt to reach the

Continent; besides, he had not sufficient money to carry him far enough

from England; for, in addition to the five-pound note, which had assumed

already the character of a talisman, there were only a few shillings in

his pocket.

It occurred to him that he would go down to the docks and see if he

could obtain a berth on one of the small trading vessels; he had the

quickness of hand and foot which comes of football and cricket, and he

had done some sailing in a friend's yacht; enough, at any rate, to make

him useful on board a ship. He took the train to Mark Lane Station, and

suddenly reminded by the inward monitor that he had eaten nothing for

some hours, turned into one of the numerous old-fashioned coffee-shops

near the quay.




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