burst. Still I dashed on; till at last I came so
violently against some obstacle, that I was hurled
to the ground, and lay for an instant stunned.
But I was up again immediately— up again, the
blood streaming from my forehead, and on I
flew, faster if possible than before. But that
fall had given my pursuers an advantage; and
now they were fast gaining upon me. Those
I passed, too, turned to watch my headlong
flight, and some swelled the train. I heard
them pressing close at my heels, and felt it was
indeed all up. By a sudden impulse, I hurled
the meat away, and made one more convulsive
effort— the effort of despair. It was the last. In
another moment I was seized from behind, and
bleeding, ghastly to look upon, found myself in
the grasp of a couple of stout policemen.

"My cap was off— my face was covered with
blood— I felt as though I should never get
breath again, so violent had been my efforts— so
great my previous weakness. But I did not
faint. I kept my senses, as dragged, borne
along between these two relentless giants, I
was stared at, sworn at, followed by the butcher
and his assistants, and a mob of the lowest
description. And as we hurried past the corner of
one street, I beheld a vision of a face I knew—
a face pale, open-mouthed, horror-struck— that
of a neighbour in our court. ' Mercy save us!'
I heard her cry, ' if it an't Clem! Clem took
for thieving! Clem! Oh! what ever 'll his
poor mother do? It'II be her death!'

"I had fearful paroxysms of despair during
the night. The idea of self-destruction was
continually present to me. Again and again I
asked myself if it were really I that had done
this thing— I, so honest hitherto? Yes, I had
done it.

"Such offences as mine had become fearfully
frequent in that time of scarcity, and the
magistrates were forced to be severe for the sake of
example. I went into court with a sullen,
dogged countenance. I saw the crowd of staring
faces, and heard strange words; but it was as
though I neither saw nor heard, till one voice
suddenly sounded in my ears; and then, indeed,
I started as though I had been struck, and my
whole soul was riveted in attention. Philip
Steele was giving evidence against me.

"Phil Steele had seen me standing by the
butcher's stall, watching the customers as
they came and went. He had seen me take
up the meat (he did not say from the ground),
conceal it under my coat, and hurry away.
He had instantly informed the shopmen of
the theft, and had joined in their pursuit of
me. All this he told in a clear ringing voice,
and with a boyish simplicity of manner,
that at once ensured belief. He was praised
not only for the propriety with which he
gave his evidence then, but for his prompt
information of the theft at the time. But for
the latter, I should have escaped unpunished,
as no one but he had observed me take the
meat, though many, besides the policemen, had
seen me throw it away afterwards.

"This monster, whom my mother had won
back from the very gates of death, had watched
and betrayed the widow's son! I fixed my eye
upon him— a murderous, Cain-like eye— but I
did not speak. I scorned to do so there. The
time would come when I would both speak and
act. For I would have revenge, even if I died
for it.

"My heart was now harder than ever. I
resisted all threats, I refused to answer all
questions. I stood there mute, scowling,
defiant, like a hunted animal brought to bay.
They might do with me what they would. I
no longer cared. But when suddenly I saw in
the distance the pale face of my master— (oh!
how changed!)— and saw the grieved expression
of his pitying eyes, then all at once my
strength gave way, my stubborn mood melted
like snow before the fire. Stretching out my
hands towards him, with an exceeding bitter
and grievous cry, I shrieked out, ' Master!
master! I did take it! But mother was
starving! And, oh, I wish I had starved myself,
before ever I did this thing!'

CHAPTER II.

"SIR, I went into prison an honest lad, honest
at heart, in spite of the evil thing I had done.
I came out ot it a thief in intention and
consent. I met with thieves there, men whose
profession it was to steal, and I promised to
become their pal. They told me of plenty of
victuals to be had, and a joyous, exciting life;
they told me that as an honest lad I was done
for; that I might live for years and years, and
refrain from dishonesty for ever, but sooner or
later my ' trouble' would find me out, and drag
me down again; they told me all this, and I
believed and yielded to them. What chance had
I otherwise?

"So when the time came, I slunk out of prison,
meaning to betake myself to the place agreed
upon with my new pals, and then try to find
out something about mother. But, as though
he had all along read my thoughts, the master was
standing as it were in the breach; and when,
ashamed and angry, I strove to avoid him, he
seized and held me fast. ' No, Clem! you will
come home with me— I must have you.' 'I
can't, sir!' I answered, savagely; ' I'll never
come to you again. It's no use— I won't.'
' You will!' he said, grasping me with a strong
hand as I struggled to release myself, hating
him almost for his interference. 'You will
come, if only for your mother's sake.'

"He overruled me, as he always did. He had
a strange power, that man!— not to be resisted.
He made me go with him; but it was well
determined to give him the slip, the very first
opportunity. I would have nothing more to do
with honesty, or him. It didn't pay to be
honest; and it did pay, it appeared, to be a
thief. He led me into his house, keeping hold
of me with that strong earnest grasp of his,
past his small parlour, up into an empty garret.
Then he locked the door, took the key, and
releasing me, sat down.

"' Clem,' he said, in low serious tones, ' you