CHAPTER IV.
A TEMPORARY REFORMATION.
NICKIE the Kid presented himself at the front door of a decorous villa in an intensely respectable suburb, with sad story.

Mr.Crips did not address the lady as an unblushing mendicant, he spoke as a man of some refinement and keen sensibility, whose bitter complaint was literally dragged from him by adverse circumstances.
The lady was touched--her eye moistened.
"That is really very sad," she said.

"Come right in, my poor man.

You must tell your story to my James.

James will know how to help you." Nickie followed the lady without the smallest compunction.