As I went to the door Allen rose too, and said that the man who had offered him the money was out of town.

I turned to him and said: "'He will no doubt return, and I don't care for the letter at all.' "At this Allen changed his manner, said he was very poor, he hadn't a penny in the world, and had spent a lot trying to find me and tell me about the letter.

I told him I did not mind relieving his distress, and gave him half a sovereign, assuring him at the same time that the letter would shortly be published as a sonnet in a delightful magazine.

I went to the door with him, and he walked away.

I closed the door; but didn't shut it at once, for suddenly I heard a policeman's step coming softly towards my house--pad, pad! A dreadful moment, then he passed by.