The law has branded me a convict, and I can only say `Please let all this be as if it had never been said.' And yet I don't know," he continued, with his eyes softening; "it has done me good.

Still I don't ask you to believe me, sir.

There is plenty of deceit out here, and I have met some clever actors of innocent parts in the different gangs." "But I do believe you," cried Nic earnestly--"every word.

Oh, I felt that you could not have been so bad." "Thank you, my lad," said the convict, smiling; and Nic thought what a fine, handsome, manly fellow he was when his face lit up.

"No: I cannot shake hands.