Francis wouldn't say he felt joy at hearing Richards was still there, but he wasn't bothered by the news. Good for him. He gripped the man's hands in a firmer handshake than expected. Hearing his words made him smile more. "That is wonderful to hear. I know you can't pay me. But not starving to death on the street and possibly a bed of straw is far better than the alternative. The world and God may have abandoned me, but I am grateful to see one of his servants has not."

He let go of his hands quickly and folded them neatly before him and hung his head. "I promise, I'm a hard worker. I used to work on a farm most of my life."

He'd realized the real key to getting anything was the long con, unless things got ruined before hand.