He stared round him wildly.

His lips were moist and the old craving was hot upon him.

What did it mean?
After all he had broken his vow, then! Had he not sworn to touch nothing until he had found his little girl and his fortune?
yet the fire of spirits was in his veins and the craving was tearing him to pieces.

Then he remembered! There was no fortune, no little girl! His dreams were all shattered, the last effort of his life had been in vain.

He caught hold of the tumbler with fingers that shook as though an ague were upon him, lifted it to his lips and drank.