o had listened to the colloquy, approached
the two speakers and said:

"Gentlemen, I have a proposal to make to you both."

Both Philip and the professor looked up, with interest.

"Some of the young men in the village," said the landlord, "have formed
a literary club, meeting weekly. They have hired and furnished a room
over one of our stores, provided it with, games and subscribed for a few
periodicals. They find, however, that the outlay has been greater
than they anticipated and are in debt. I have been talking with
the secretary, and he thinks he would like to engage you to give an
entertainment, the proceeds, beyond a fixed sum, to go to the benefit of
the club. What do you say?"

"When is it proposed to have the entertainment?" asked Philip.

"I suppose we should have to name to-morrow evening, in order to
advertise it sufficiently."

"I am willing to make any engagement that will suit the club," said
Philip.

"And I, too," said Professor Riccabocca.

"The secretary authorizes me to offer you ten dollars each, and to pay
your hotel expenses in the meantime," said Mr. Perry.

"That is satisfactory," said our hero.

"I agree," said the professor.

"Then I will at once notify the secretary, and he will take steps to
advertise the entertainment."

Ten dollars was a small sum compared with what Philip had obtained for
his evening in Wilkesville, but a week since he would have regarded it
as very large for one week's work. He felt that it was for his interest
to accept the proposal.

He secretly resolved that if the entertainment should not prove as
successful as was anticipated, he would give up a part of the sum which
was promised him for his services.

Professor Riccabocca assented the more readily to the proposal, because
he thought it might enable him again to form a business alliance with
our hero, from whom his conduct had estranged him.

"Suppose we take a room together, Mr. de Gray," he said, with an
ingratiating smile.

"Gray, if you please, professor. I don't like sailing under false
colors."

"Excuse me; the force of habit, you know. Well, do you agree?"

"The professor has more assurance than any man I ever heard of," thought
Philip. "You must excuse me, professor," he said. "After what has
happened, I should feel safer in a room by myself."

"Why will you dwell upon the past, Mr. Gray?" said the professor
reproachfully.

"Because I am prudent, and learn from experience," answere