Touched by the affection which all seemed to be showing him, it became more and more the passionate craving of Eric’s soul to be worthy of that love.  But it is far, far harder to recover a lost path than to keep in the right one all along; and by one more terrible fall, the poor erring boy was to be taught for the last time the fearful strength of temptation, and the only source in earth and heaven from which deliverance can come.  Theoretically he knew it, but as yet not practically.  Great as his trials had been, and deeply as he had suffered, it was God’s will that he should pass through a yet fiercer flame ere he could be purified from pride and passion and self-confidence, and led to the cross of a suffering Saviour, there to fling himself down in heart-rending humility, and cast his great load of cares and sins upon Him who cared for him through all his wanderings, and was leading him back through thorny places to the green pastures and still waters, where at last he might have rest.

The money came, and walking off straight to the Jolly Herring, he dashed it down on the table before Billy, and imperiously bade him write a receipt.  The man did so, but with so unmistakable an air of cunning and triumph that Eric was both astonished and dismayed.  Could the miscreant have any further plot against him?  At first he fancied that Billy might attempt to extort money by a threat of telling Dr. Rowlands; but this supposition he banished as unlikely since it might expose Billy himself to very unpleasant consequences.  Eric snatched the receipt, and said contemptuously, “Never come near me again; next time you come up to the studies I’ll tell Carter to turn you out.”

“Ho, ho, ho!” sneered Billy.  “How mighty we young gents are all of a sudden.  Unless you buy of me sometimes, you shall hear of me again; never fear, young gen’lman.”  He shouted out the latter words, for Eric had turned scornfully on his heel, and was already in the street.  Obviously more danger was to be apprehended from this quarter.  At first the thought of it was disquieting, but three weeks glided away, and Eric, now absorbed heart and soul in school work, began to remember it as a mere vague and idle threat.  But one afternoon, to his horror, he again heard Billy’s step on the stairs, and again saw the hateful iniquitous face at the door.

“Not much custom from you lately, sir,” said Billy, mockingly.  “Anything in my line to-day.”

“Didn’t I tell you never to come near me again, you foul villain?  Go this instant, or I’ll call Carter;” and, opening the window, he prepared to put his threat into execution.

“Ho, ho, ho!  Better look at summat I’ve got first.”  It was a printed notice to the following effect—­

“FIVE POUNDS REWARD.

“WHEREAS some evil-disposed persons stole some pigeons on the evening of April 6th from the Rev. H. Gordon’s premises; the above reward will be given for any such information as may lead to the apprehension of the offenders.”