So I was alone, with the blending light of the early dawn and that of the lamp burning feebly from the ceiling.

I sat up in my berth and cautiously unstitched the lining in the breast of my jacket.

Here, months ago, when I first began to foresee this emergency, and while I was still allowed the use of my money, I had concealed one by one a few five-pound notes of the Bank of England.

I counted them over, eight of them; forty pounds in all, my sole fortune, my only means of living.

True, I had besides these a diamond ring, presented to me under circumstances which made it of no value to me, except for its worth in money, and a watch and chain given to me years ago by my father.