a small sum, representing his wages, was paid into the Savings Bank, and
the deposit was to be transferred to him when he gave proof of complete
and perfect regeneration. When asked to account for a bottle of whisky
found in his room, and for a burst of inebriety that represented a good
deal in spot cash, Nickie quibbled. The quibble was obvious even to an
innocent soul like James. James was hurt, but he persisted.

Nickie was content to have the experiment continue, but he held out no
great hopes. "You know," he said, "this is your scheme, not mine. You, as
it were, forced me to submit. You said you'd reform me in spite of
myself. Well, I am patient, and you are earnest, but we don't seem to
make much progress."

For seven weeks the Rev. James Nippit continued experimenting and never
once lost faith.

James Nippit's pet work was in connection with his reform movement, the
Young Men's Mission, a design for upraising the youths of the larrikin
and criminal classes. The Young Men's Mission had attracted some
attention, people were found willing to contribute to the good work, and
this fact gave rise to some imposition. Uncertified persons of bad
character were found to be collecting for the fund and appropriating the
money to their own use. This caused James much distress of mind.

One Sunday afternoon when driving from his Sunday School the Rev. Nippit
was hailed by a trusted friend, who said:

"For the last ten minutes I have been listening to a man preaching on the
sands down there. He represents himself as one of the leaders of the
Young Men's Mission Movement, and I am confident he is an impostor. If he