"How can I thank you?" he exclaimed.
"My dear fellow," replied Mr. Smith, "you have nothing to thank me for."
"Nothing!"
"No, indeed."
"But you have saved me," said Clarence. "You are a whole-souled, generous-hearted man. Give me the forged notes, that I may tear them up, begin again, and, leading a new life, bless you for ever."
A cynical smile curled the lip of Mr. Smith.
"Not so fast, my young friend," he said.
"What do you mean?"
"Simply that I am not your friend, and that I have not done anything of a particularly generous nature."
"How?"