I did that, sir,' said a big fellow, stepping forward; and I cut my knuckle against his mouth. I stopped him, sir." The fellow touched his hat with a grin, expecting something for his pains; but, the old gentleman, eye- ing him with an expression of dislike, looked anxiously round. At that moment a police officer (who is general- y the last person to arrive in such cases) made his way through the crowd, and seized Oliver by the collar. Come, get up,' said the man, roughly. It wasn't me indeed, sir,' said Oliver, clasping his hands passionately, and looking round. 'Come, get up!' 'Don't hurt him,' said the old gentleman. 'Oh no, I won't hurt him,' replied the officer. 'Will you stand upon your legs, you young devil?' Oliver, who could hardly stand, made a shift to raise himself on his feet, and was at once dragged along the streets by the police officer. The gentleman walked on with them by the officer's side. Many of the crowd got a little ahead and stared back at Oliver from time to time. When they reached the court house, Oliver was searched and then locked up in a cell. 'There is something in that boy's face,' said the old gentleman to himself as he walked slowly away, 'some- thing that touches and interests me. Can he be innocent? The poor boy looked like -' continued the old gentle- man, halting very abruptly, and staring up into the sky, 'Where have I seen something like that look before? No,' said the old gentleman, shaking his head; 'it must be Imagination.' He was roused by a touch on the shoulder. The man with the keys asked the old gentleman to follow him in- 37