“And I pray God that your work be not in vain,” said the clergyman.  “It is that I might lead you to this work that I am now here.  Some of the Christian men and women whose names I find here”—­Mr. Elliott referred to the paper in his hand—­“are well known to me personally, and others by reputation.”

He read them over.

“Such names,” he added, “give confidence and assurance.  In the hands of these men and women, the best that can be done will be done.  And what is to hinder if the presence and the power of God be in their work?  Whenever two or three meet together in his name, have they not his promise to be with them? and when he is, present, are not all saving influences most active?  Present we know him to be everywhere, but his presence and power have a different effect according to the kind and degree of reception.  He is present with the evil as well as the good, but he can manifest his love and work of saving far more effectually through the good than he can through the evil.

“And so, because this Home has been made a Christian Home, and its inmates taught to believe that only in coming to God in Christ as their infinite divine Saviour, and touching the hem of his garments, is there any hope of being cured of their infirmity, has its great saving power become manifest.”

Just then voices were heard sounding through the hall.  Apparently there was an altercation between the waiter and some one at the street door.

“What’s that?” asked Mrs Birtwell, a little startled at the unusual sound.

They listened, and heard the voice of a man saying, in an excited tone: 

“I must see her!”

Then came the noise of a struggle, as though the waiter were trying to prevent the forcible entry of some one.

Mrs. Birtwell started to her feet in evident alarm.  Mr. Elliott was crossing to the parlor door, when it was thrown open with considerable violence, and he stood face to face with Mr. Ridley.

CHAPTER XXIII.

On leaving the clergyman’s residence, baffled in his efforts to get the wine he had hoped to obtain, Mr. Ridley strode hurriedly away, almost running, as though in fear of pursuit.  After going for a block or two he stopped suddenly, and stood with an irresolute air for several moments.  Then he started forward again, moving with the same rapid speed.  His face was strongly agitated and nearly colorless.  His eyes were restless, glancing perpetually from side to side.

There was no pause now until he reached the doors of a large hotel in the centre of the city.  Entering, he passed first into the reading-room and looked through it carefully, then stood in the office for several minutes, as if waiting for some one.  While here a gentleman who had once been a client came in, and was going to the clerk’s desk to make some inquiry, when Ridley stepped forward, and calling him by name, reached out his hand.  It was not taken, however.  The man looked at him with an expression of annoyance and disgust, and then passed him without a word.