ongly to the second, but it mightn't be
successful. I think,--yes, I'm afraid, I must draw on the Jerusalem
Fund again."

"Of course, I knew you would. Let me see; that's seven times we've
stayed home from the Holy Land, isn't it?--the perfect number. A
person naturally thinks of sevens in connection with Bible places."

Lawyer Ed laughed light-heartedly. Ever since the days when these two
had tried to sit together in Sunday-school, and been separated by
Doctor Leslie, they had planned that some time, they would make a visit
together to Bible lands. Many a time since the trip had almost
materialised, but Lawyer Ed's money would fade away, or J. P.'s
business interfere or some other contingency arise to make them stay at
home. The final plans had been laid for the coming autumn, and now it
was again to be postponed.

But J. P. was not deceived into supposing Lawyer Ed was merely drawing
upon a holiday fund.

"I believe you have somewhere about five dollars laid away for that
trip, haven't you?"

"Four-and-a-half, to be correct," said his friend brazenly.

"I thought so. And where's the rest going to spring from?" He was
accustomed to keeping a stern eye on Ed's affairs or the extravagant
young man would have given away his house and office and all their
contents long ago.

Lawyer Ed did not answer for a moment. He looked like a naughty
schoolboy caught In a foolish prank. The confession came out at last.

"I'd almost decided not to go in with Will Graham's scheme. I don't
see how I can leave here just now, that's a fact."

"Ed!" cried his friend, half-admiring, half-impatient. "Why, man, it's
the chance of your life. Bill's making money so fast he can't keep
count of it. You'll be a rich man and a famous one too in a few years
if you go in with him, do you realise that?"

"Oh, there are lots more chances."

"Yes, and they'll slip away like this one. I,--can't I help a little
more?"

"No. And don't talk any more about it. It's just this way, Jock, I've
no choice in the matter. If it was my last cent, and I knew I'd go to
jail for it to-morrow, I'd help Angus. I just couldn't see him want.
It's all right. I'll stay on in Algonquin a few more years, and we'll
see what'll happen. Good-night."

"Yes, and good-night to all your ambitions and the Holy Land too."

"Not a bit of it! Ambition be hanged. I don't care about that. But
we're going to the Holy Land yet, if we put it off until s