reason for wanting me to accompany you?"

"I will tell you," said Browne. "I want you to come with me, because I
am anxious to have one man on board, a friend, in whom I can place
implicit confidence. Of course Mason will be there; but, as he will
have charge of the boat, he would be comparatively useless to me. To
tell the truth, Jimmy, it will make me easier to know that there is
some one else on board the boat, who will take care of Miss Petrovitch,
in the event of anything happening to me."

"And how long do you propose to be away from England?" his friend
inquired.

"Well, that is a very difficult question to answer," said Browne. "We
may be away three months, possibly we may be six. But you may rest
assured of one thing; we shall not be absent longer from England than
is absolutely necessary."

"And when do you want an answer from me," said Jimmy.

"As soon as you can let me have one," Browne replied. "Surely it
should not take you long to make up your mind?"

"You don't know my family," he answered. "They say I can never make up
my mind at all. Will it do if I let you know by seven o'clock
to-night? I could arrange it by then."

"That would suit me admirably," said Browne. "You don't think any the
worse of me, old chap, for asking so much of you, do you?"

"Angry with you?" answered the other. "Why should I be? You're
offering me a jolly good holiday, in excellent company; and what's
more, you are adding a spice of danger too, which will make it doubly
enjoyable. The only question is whether I can get away."

"At any rate, I'll give you until to-night to make up your mind. I
shall expect to hear from you before seven o'clock."

"You shall hear from me without fail," said Jimmy; "and, if by any
chance I can't manage it, you will understand--won't you?--that it is
not for any want of feeling for yourself."

"I know that, of course," said Browne; and thereupon the two young men
shook hands.

A few moments later Browne bade him good-bye, and, calling a hansom,
drove back to his own house. As soon as he had lunched he wrote to
Katherine to tell her how things were proceeding. The afternoon was
spent in the purchase of various articles which he intended to take
with him. For this reason it was not until after six o'clock that he
returned to his own house. When he did, the butler brought him a note
upon a salver. He opened it, and found, as he expected, that it was
from Jimmy.

"Dear