CHAPTER XXII.
St.George had now reached the last stage of his poverty.

The selling or pawning of the few valuables left him had been consummated and with the greatest delicacy, so as best to spare his feelings.

That he had been assisted by hitherto unknown friends who had sacrificed their own balances in his behalf, added temporarily to his comforts but did not lessen the gravity of the present situation.

The fact remained that with the exception of a few possible assets he was practically penniless.
Every old debt that could be collected--and Gadgem had been a scourge and a flaming sword as the weeks went on in their gathering--had been rounded up.

Even his minor interests in two small ground rents had, thanks to Pawson, been cashed some years in advance.