[CHAPTER I. Chords of Memory]
[CHAPTER II. The Verge of Trembling]
[CHAPTER III. A Wilderness Waif]
[CHAPTER IV. By the Mirroring Lake]
[CHAPTER V. A Cabin for Two]
[CHAPTER VI. 'Tis Hard to Forget]
[CHAPTER VII. The Ceaseless Throb]
[CHAPTER VIII. The Discovery]
[CHAPTER IX. The Golden Lure]
[CHAPTER X. The Awakening]
[CHAPTER XI. Unfolding]
[CHAPTER XII. The Edge of Events]
[CHAPTER XIII. The Lap of To-morrow]
[CHAPTER XIV. The Supplanter]
[CHAPTER XV. Suspicion]
[CHAPTER XVI. Tom Makes a Discovery]
[CHAPTER XVII. Heart Thrusts]
[CHAPTER XVIII. The Royal Bounty]
[CHAPTER XIX. Beginnings]
[CHAPTER XX. Under Cover of Night]
[CHAPTER XXI. The Way of a Woman]
[CHAPTER XXII. Heart Searchings]
[CHAPTER XXIII. The Meeting]
[CHAPTER XXIV. Within the Little Room]
[CHAPTER XXV. The River Flows Between]
[CHAPTER XXVI. The Face at the Door]
[CHAPTER XXVII. The Inner Impulse]
[CHAPTER XXVIII. The Keepsake]
[CHAPTER XXIX. Atonement]
[CHAPTER XXX. Revelation]
[CHAPTER XXXI. "The Valley of the Shadows"]
[CHAPTER XXXII. Refined Gold]
[Other Publications]
IF ANY MAN SIN
CHAPTER I
CHORDS OF MEMORY
It was Sunday night and the great city was hushed in silence. A thick mist hung over streets and houses through which numerous lights endeavoured to force their rays. Few people were astir and all traffic had ceased. Presently the chimes from a hidden church tower pealed forth their sweet message to the world. A man standing alone within the shadow of the church started and turned his face upwards. The musical sounds seemed to fascinate him, and he listened as one entranced. He gave no heed to the men and women hurrying by phantom-like on their way to the evening service. Not until the last note had died upon the air did the man abandon his listening attitude. Then his head drooped, his tense body relaxed, and he stepped back a few paces as if fearful of being observed. Twice he started forward, moved by some inner impulse, but each time he shrank back deeper within the shadow. His strong form trembled convulsively, telling plainly of a mighty fire of emotion raging within.
The man at length left his place of concealment and paced rapidly up and down outside the church, with his head bent forward. This he did for some time. He at last paused, stood for a while in an undecided manner, and then with a stealthy step approached the door. His hand was raised to the large iron latch when strains of music fell upon his ears. Then he heard the sound of numerous voices lifted up in the closing hymn. His courage almost deserted him, and he half turned as if to leave the place. But some irresistible power seemed to stay his steps and force him to open the door and enter.
The church was warm, brightly lighted, and well filled with men and women. No one heeded the stranger as he slipped quietly into a back seat and looked around. The trained voices of the white-robed choir thrilled his soul. Every word of the hymn was familiar to him, for he had often sung it in days gone by. The congregation, too, was singing, and ere long he distinguished one voice from the rest. He had not heard it at first, but now it fell upon his ears with a startling intensity. It was a woman's voice, sweet, clear, and full of mingled tenderness and pathos. The man's firm white hands clutched hard the back of the seat in front of him, and his face underwent a marvellous transformation. His eyes shone with eagerness, and his bosom lifted and fell from the vehemence of his emotion. He leaned forward until he could see the singer and watched her intently. Then when the hymn was finished, and ere the congregation dispersed, the stranger, having cast one more longing look upon the woman with the sweet voice, slipped noiselessly out of the building.
Upon reaching the street he stepped aside and waited for the people to come forth. It was not long ere the big door was thrown wide open, and as the men and women passed by he scrutinised them as closely as possible. He was watching for one person alone, and presently he saw her walking by herself. When she had gone a short distance he followed after, and never once let her out of his sight until she came to a large house, the door of which she opened and entered.