"You promised me just now you would assist me."

"If it be in my power, I will."

"Before we part at Alexandria I will endeavour to tell you the story
of my troubles, and then if you can aid me--" It struck me as he
paused that I had made a rash promise, but nevertheless I must stand
by it now--with one or two provisoes. The chances were that the
young man was short of money, or else that he had got into a scrape
about a girl. In either ease I might give him some slight
assistance; but, then, it behoved me to make him understand that I
would not consent to become a participator in mischief. I was too
old to get my head willingly into a scrape, and this I must
endeavour to make him understand.

"I will, if it be in my power," I said. "I will ask no questions
now; but if your trouble be about some lady--"

"It is not," said he.

"Well; so be it. Of all troubles those are the most troublesome.
If you are short of cash--"

"No, I am not short of cash."

"You are not. That's well too; for want of money is a sore trouble
also." And then I paused before I came to the point. "I do not
suspect anything bad of you, Smith. Had I done so, I should not
have spoken as I have done. And if there be nothing bad--"