e one or both of
them known him, off and on, for many years past, as a monomaniac with
Sunchildism on the brain but otherwise harmless. If they will do this,
no proceedings are to be taken against them.

"The Mayor's contribution shall be to reprimand the prisoner, and order
him to repeat his recantation in the new temple before the Manager and
Head Cashier, and to confirm his statement on oath by kissing the
reliquary containing the newly found relic.

"The Ranger and the Master of the Gaol must contribute that the
prisoner's measurements, and the marks found on his body, negative all
possibility of his identity with the Sunchild, and that all the hair on
the covered as well as the uncovered parts of his body was found to be
jet black.

"We advise further that the prisoner should have his nuggets and his kit
returned to him, and that the receipt given by the Professors together
with Professor Hanky's handkerchief be given back to the Professors.

"Furthermore, seeing that we should all of us like to have a quiet
evening with the prisoner, we should petition the Mayor and Mayoress to
ask him to meet all here present at dinner to-morrow evening, after his
discharge, on the plea that Professors Hanky and Panky and Dr. Downie may
give him counsel, convince him of his folly, and if possible free him
henceforth from the monomania under which he now suffers.

"The prisoner shall give his word of honour, never to return to Erewhon,
nor to encourage any of his countrymen to do so. After the dinner to
which we hope the Mayoress Will invite us, the Ranger, if the night is
fair, shall escort the prisoner as far as the statues, whence he will
find his own way home.

"Those who are in favour of this compromise hold up their hands."

The Mayor and Yram held up theirs. "Will you hold up yours, Professor
Hanky," said George, "if I release you?"

"Yes," said Hanky with a gruff laugh, whereon George released him and he
held up both his hands.

Panky did not hold up his, whereon Hanky said, "Hold up your hands,
Panky, can't you? We are really very well out of it."

Panky, hardly lifting his head, sobbed out, "I think we ought to have our
f-f-fo-fo-four pounds ten returned to us."

"I am afraid, sir," said George, "that the prisoner must have spent the
greater part of this money."

Every one smiled, indeed it was all George could do to prevent himself
from laughing outright. The Mayor brought out his purse, counted the