t. Well, what do you
think, Shafto?"

Shafto thought Mr. Martin a species of genie, who was offering him a
magic carpet that would transport him into the great, hurrying, active
world; into the land of sunshine he had longed to see; he would have
jumped at the proposal if the salary had been half, and he replied:

"I shall be glad to accept."

"Then that's all right! I was afraid you might have some ties in this
country. Of course, in time you are bound to get a rise, and I believe
there are boarding-houses in Rangoon where they make you fairly
comfortable."

"When do you wish me to start?"

"As soon as you can get under way," was the unexpected reply. "One of
the Bibby Line sails on Saturday week, and that brings me to another
matter. You have to pay for your own passage and outfit. The passage
money is six hundred rupees; the outfit, good English boots, cool
clothes, a solar topee, and a revolver--and a medicine-chest might come
in handy. No doubt some of your relations will help, or give you a
loan. You see, you are getting a big rise and a capital opening in a
new line."

"That is true, sir," replied Douglas, whose face had considerably
lengthened, "but I'm afraid I cannot manage the ready money--near a
hundred pounds. Is my salary paid in advance?"

"No, that is out of the question in a province where cholera carries a
man off in a couple of hours. I am sorry about the passage; at one
time we did pay, but now we have to pinch and consider our expenses.
No doubt you would like to talk over the matter with your people?"

"Well, yes, I should, thank you," he answered, staring fixedly at the
floor.

"Then let me have your decision before mail day. I may tell you,
Shafto, that, irrespective of Mr. Tremenheere's interest, you have
given us entire satisfaction, and for this chance, and it _is_ a
chance, you have only yourself to thank. You can take a couple of
days' leave and let me hear from you definitely on Friday morning."

It was only eleven o'clock, an oppressively warm July day, and Douglas
walked up to Lincoln's Inn Fields, took a seat in the cool shade of the
finest trees in the largest square in London, and there endeavoured to
think out some plan.

"I say, what a chance!" he muttered to himself. "What a stroke of
luck! A new start in life, offering change and freedom." Yet he must
lose it--and all for a paltry hundred pounds. Paltry--no; to him it
represented a huge and unattainab