yes, professor," said Philip.

"Ha, ha!" said the professor, appearing amused.

"How soon are we to sail for Europe?" asked Philip, smiling.

"When Queen Victoria sends our passage-money," answered Riccabocca,
laughing.

"I see that your name is a household word in Europe. Were you ever
there?"

"Never."

"Then how can that be?"

"Mr. de Gray, your performances have been greeted with applause in all
parts of the United States. How do you explain that?"

"I don't pretend to explain it. I wasn't aware that my name had ever
been heard of a hundred miles from here."

"It has not, but it will be. I have only been predicting a little.
The paragraph isn't true now, but it will be some time, if we live and
prosper."

"But I don't like to be looked upon as a humbug, professor," said Philip
uneasily.

"You won't be. You are really a fine player, or I wouldn't consent to
appear with you. The name of Riccabocca, Mr. de Gray, I may truthfully
say, is well known. I have appeared in the leading cities of America.
They were particularly enthusiastic in Chicago," he added pensively.
"I wish I could find a paragraph from one of their leading papers,
comparing my rendering of the soliloquy in 'Hamlet' to Edwin Booth's,
rather to the disadvantage of that tragedian."

"I would like to read the notice," said Philip, who had very strong
doubts as to whether such a paragraph had ever appeared in print.

"You shall see it. It will turn up somewhere. I laid it aside carefully,
for I confess, Mr. de Gray, it gratified me much. I have only one thing
to regret: I should myself have gone on the stage, and essayed leading
tragic roles. It may not be too late now. What do you think?"

"I can tell better after I have heard you, professor," answered Philip.

"True, you can. Mr. de Gray," continued the professor, lowering his
voice, "notice how much attention we are receiving from the guests
at the tables. They have doubtless read the notice of our evening
entertainment."

Philip looked round the room, which was of good size, and contained some
thirty or more guests, and he saw that the professor was right.

He met several curious glances, some fair ladies expressing interest as
well as curiosity, and his face flushed.

"Gratifying, isn't it?" said the professor, smiling.

"No, I don't think it is," answered our hero.

"Why not?" demanded Professor Riccabocca, appearing amazed.

"If all were true, it might be," replied Philip.