Mr.Crowe bowed, and assured his client that on that score he had no doubts whatever.

Nevertheless Mr.Crowe's first resolve, when he heard of the earldom and of the golden prospects, was to be very careful not to pay any money out of his own pocket on behalf of the young officer, till he made himself quite sure that it would be returned to him with interest.

As the interview progressed, however, Mr.Crowe began to see his way, and to understand that the golden prospects were not pleaded because the owner of them was himself short of cash.

Mr.Crowe soon understood the whole story.

He had heard of Captain O'Hara, and believed the man to be as thorough a blackguard as ever lived.