Page:On to Pekin.djvu/346

314 you are yourself," said Gilbert, not knowing how else to reply.

"You are a true Christian, Pennington,—a real, practical Christian."

"Thank you. I have tried to be so—even though I am a soldier."

"Ninety-nine men out of a hundred would have let me burn up," continued Nuggy, with a deep shudder. "I know just how tight I was at that window. I couldn't budge, and I was suffering the tortures of the infernal region. I was sure my end had come, when you released me."

"There was certainly no time to spare."

"Pennington, after this I am going to be a different man—I swear it. This thing has opened my eyes. It doesn't pay to—to—well, to cheat others, as I've been trying to do. I was going to try to get the best of you and the Bartletts, but I shan't try any more. It's a bad business."

"I agree with you on that point, Polk. The man who tries to do wrong is bound to come to grief sooner or later."

"Have you seen the Bartletts?"

"Yes."