Part 3 (1/2)

”They mightn't come for a week,” he said, dismally. ”It's all right for you, but where do I come in? Halves?”

Mr. Scutts had a rush of blood to the head.

”You leave it to me, mate,” he said, controlling himself by an effort.

”If I get ten quid, say, you shall have 'arf.”

”And suppose you get more?” demanded the other.

”We'll see,” said Mr. Scutts, vaguely.

Mr. Flynn returned to the charge next day, but got no satisfaction. Mr.

Scutts preferred to talk instead of the free board and lodging his friend was getting. On the subject of such pay for such work he was almost eloquent.

”I'll bide my time,” said Mr. Flynn, darkly. ”Treat me fair and I'll treat you fair.”

His imprisonment came to an end on the fourth day. There was a knock at the door, and the sound of men's voices, followed by the hurried appearance of Mrs. Scutts.

”It's Jim's lot,” she said, in a hurried whisper. ”I've just come up to get the room ready.”

Mr. Scutts took his friend by the hand, and after warmly urging him not to forget the expert instructions he had received concerning his back, slipped into the back room, and, a prey to forebodings, awaited the result.

”Well, he looks better,” said the doctor, regarding Mr. Flynn.

”Much better,” said his companion.

Mrs. Scutts shook her head. ”His pore back don't seem no better, sir,”

she said in a low voice. ”Can't you do something for it?”

”Let me have a look at it,” said the doctor. ”Undo your s.h.i.+rt.”

Mr. Flynn, with slow fingers, fumbled with the b.u.t.ton at his neck and looked hard at Mrs. Scutts.

”She can't bear to see me suffer,” he said, in a feeble voice, as she left the room.

He bore the examination with the fort.i.tude of an early Christian martyr.

In response to inquiries he said he felt as though the mainspring of his back had gone.

”How long since you walked?” inquired the doctor.

”Not since the accident,” said Mr. Flynn, firmly.

”Try now,” said the doctor.

Mr. Flynn smiled at him reproachfully.

”You can't walk because you think you can't,” said the doctor; ”that is all. You'll have to be encouraged the same way that a child is. I should like to cure you, and I think I can.”