So he went, and several of the others, leaving me with Crow, Wallop, and Hawkesbury, in possession of the office.

The two former heroes had by this time somewhat recovered from their surprise at seeing me once more in the land of the living, and seemed disposed to wax facetious in proportion at my expense.

I dug my thumbs into my ears, in the hopes of getting on with my work, but it was not easy, and I had at last to give up the attempt.

"Jolly glad he's not kicked the bucket, for one thing," said Wallop.

"Why?" asked Crow, apparently surprised that there should be any reason for thankfulness in such an event.

"He owes me thirty bob, that's all," said Wallop.

It was true! It was one of the oldest of my debts, and one which had been greatly on my mind for many a day.

"Ah!" said I, feeling constrained to take some notice of the remark.

"I'm afraid I've kept you out of that money a long time, Wallop."

"Don't mention it," said Wallop. "When I want it I'll drop on you for it, my boy."

"I'll try to pay it off as soon as ever I can," I said.

I disliked Wallop, as I have said, and the thought that I owed him money was not at all pleasant to me.

My creditor laughed.

"There's plenty more will be glad to hear you're better," said he.

"There's Shoddy I met the other week in a regular blue funk because he thought you'd bolted. He wanted to come down and see the governors here about his little bill, but I managed to pacify him. But he says if you don't give him a call soon he'll wake you up."

"I'll go and see him at once," I said, feeling very uncomfortable.

"Then there's the Twins. It seems you're on their books for a matter of a sov. or so advanced you at odd times. They've been most affectionate in their inquiries about you."

It wasn't pleasant to be reminded thus on my first morning back at work of the burden of debt which still pressed on me from the old, and I humbly hoped bygone, days of my extravagance. Not even a broken arm or a dangerous fever will wipe off old scores.

Wallop rather enjoyed going through the catalogue of my debts.

"Then there's Tucker, the pastrycook, wants half-a-sov. at the very least, and Weeden, the tobacconist, a florin for mild cigarettes, and--"

"Yes, yes," I said; "I know all about it, and I'm going to pay them all."

"That's a good job," remarked Wallop, "and the sooner you tell them all so the better. They'd all like to have your present address."

"I'm not sure that that would console them much," said Crow. "It's rather a shadier place than the old one."

"Yes, when you come to think of it, a fellow would get a bit shy when he read the address, `care of Tom Jailbird, Esquire, Up a Slum, Drury Lane.'"

"Look here!" cried I, suddenly starting up; "don't you call my friend names, please."

Nothing could have delighted the genial pair more than my excitement.

They greeted my protest with laughter, and winking at one another, continued to talk among themselves.

"Good practice, I should think. Crow, living with a chap like that--get used to prison fare. Come all the easier later on."

"Wonder if they practise picking one another's pockets to keep their hands in, of an evening."

"I'm told that jailbird has got an alb.u.m full of tickets-of-leave."

"Ah! His father must have travelled a good bit in his time."

It was pitiful, paltry jesting, but it was more than I could stand.

"Will you stop?" I shouted.

"n.o.body was speaking to you," said Wallop.

"You were speaking of my friend!" I exclaimed.

"More shame to you for chumming up with such disreputable lot," said Crow.

"Do you hear? stop it!" I shouted.

"We'll stop it," said Wallop, "when--"

I did not wait to hear more, but rushed upon the speaker.

The upshot might have been serious for me in my present weak condition, and being one against two. But before my blow could be returned Hawkesbury, who had so far been a silent witness to the scene, sprang from his place and pulled me away. I struggled to get free, but he held me firm, as he said, "Batchelor, don't be foolish. You two, be quiet, will you, or I must report you to my uncle. Fighting is not allowed in here."

"I didn't want to fight," said Wallop, putting up his hand to his smarting cheek, "but I'll have it out with him."

"Young prig!" growled Crow, savagely.

"You hear what I say," said Hawkesbury. "I won't allow it to go any further. Here, Batchelor, go to your seat, and don't be absurd."

This tone of authority and his unasked-for interference irritated me as much as ever the language of my two adversaries had done. Hawkesbury was always getting the pull of me in ways like this.

I retired sulkily to my seat, saying I would thrash any one who insulted Smith in my presence, at which the others sneered.

"All I can say is," said Wallop, with his hand still up to his face, "if I don't get that thirty shillings he owes me to-morrow, I'll show him up in a way that will astonish him--that's all."

With which threat he took up his hat and went out, leaving me in a very agitated and uncomfortable frame of mind, as the reader may guess.

I would far sooner have been thrashed out and out by Wallop than be left thus under what Hawkesbury would certainly consider an obligation to him.

"I thought it best," said he, in his insinuating way, "to interfere.

You are really not well enough for that sort of thing, Batchelor."

During the rest of the day my mind was too uneasy to permit me to make much progress with my work, and I was glad when evening came and I could escape with my friend.

"You look f.a.gged," said he, as I took his arm.