“I couldn’t do that. I am a poor man, and the money that Wentworth is to give me is of great importance to me. If you could raise five or six hundred dollars, I might afford to return them to you.”
“That will be quite impossible, Mr. Standish.”
“Then I am afraid I must retain the papers. It goes to my heart to do it, I assure you. I am a very tender-hearted man, Gerald, but I am a poor man, and I feel that I must not injure my own interests. I will do what I can for you, however, and I may be able to persuade Mr. Wentworth to give you something. Now I must bid you good morning.”
Samuel Standish opened the door, and prepared to go out.
“In an hour you will be released,” he said. “I shall leave directions with Tip.”
As he went downstairs, Gerald settled back in his chair, trying to resign himself to remaining for another hour in the shabby room.
CHAPTER XXIX.
GERALD IS RELEASED.
At length the door was opened and Gerald was free to leave his place of confinement.