." That brought me to
a stand. I came over and looked at the box with a moment's hesitation.
"Yes," I resumed. "Yes, and for the despatch-box! It looks moneyed and
landed; it means I have a lawyer. It is an invaluable property. But I
could have wished it to hold less money. The responsibility is crushing.
Should I not do more wisely to take five hundred pounds, and intrust the
remainder with you, Mr. Romaine?"

"If you are sure you will not want it," answered Romaine.

"I am far from sure of that," cried I. "In the first place, as a
philosopher. This is the first time that I have been at the head of a
large sum, and it is conceivable--who knows himself?--that I may make it
fly. In the second place, as a fugitive. Who knows what I may need? The
whole of it may be inadequate. But I can always write for more."

"You do not understand," he replied. "I break off all communication with
you here and now. You must give me a power of attorney ere you start
to-night, and then be done with me trenchantly until better days."

I believe I offered some objection.

"Think a little for once of me!" said Romaine. "I must not have seen you
before to-night. To-night we are to have had our only interview, and you
are to have given me the power; and to-night I am to have lost sight of
you again--I know not whither, you were upon business, it was none of my
affairs to question you! And this, you are to remark, in the interests
of your own safety much more than mine."

"I am not even to write to you?" I said, a little bewildered.

"I believe I am cutting the last strand that connects you with
common-sense," he replied. "But that is the plain English of it. You
are not even to write; and if you did, I would not answer."

"A letter, however----" I began.

"Listen to me," interrupted Romaine. "So soon as your cousin reads the
paragraph, what will he do? Put the police upon looking into my
correspondence! So soon as you write to me, in short, you write to Bow
Street; and if you will take my advice, you will date that letter from
France."

"The devil!" said I, for I began suddenly to see that this might put me
out of the way of my business.

"What is it now?" says he.

"There will be more to be done, then, before we can part," I answered.

"I give you the whole night," said he. "So long as you are off ere
daybreak, I am content."

"In short, Mr. Romaine," said I, "I have had so much benefit of your
advice and services that I am lo