use of staying in this d---- show? What's the use of tramping
round day and night after a job that never comes? What's the use of
anything? I'm tired of mill work; it isn't what I was made for. I'm
going to try my luck at something better. You needn't come."

But because Charlie Osborne was accustomed to be led by his comrade, he
too gave out his intention to try his fortunes in London. This was not
quite what Margraf wanted. He evidently had a scheme in contemplation
in which he would prefer to be alone.

"I'll tell you what, Charlie, old fellow," he said after awhile. "I've
got a plan I want you to help carry out. I want you and me to separate
for three years--only three years--and try our luck alone. At the end of
the three years we will meet again and see how each has got on, and
divide takings."

"Not see each other at all?" asked Charlie, ruefully. His love for his
chum was of the better kind; the second person singular species.

"No, not at all," answered the other, firmly, as though he were laying
down a painful but apparent duty. "Not have any communication with each
other except in case of extreme necessity. In that case we can put an
advertisement in the _Daily Telegraph_. We will make a point of always
seeing that paper."

After a longer demur than he was accustomed to raise to any scheme of
Margraf's, however wild and chimerical, Charlie at last let his usual
submission, and a vague suspicion that his companionship might be
dragging Margraf back from attaining a position more worthy of that
gentleman's talents, get the better of him. He made a hard fight for the
privilege of exchanging letters during the three years, but Eustace
remained obdurate. There was to be no communication except under the
circumstances and in the manner named. Each was to take care to see the
_Daily Telegraph_ every morning in case of such communications; and at
the exact expiration of the three years, that is, on the 15th November,
188-, they were to meet at twelve o'clock noon at Charing Cross station.

So these two men divided up their little stock of belongings and smaller
capital of money, took a third-class ticket each to London, went
together to Charing Cross to verify the scene of their future reunion,
and shook hands.

"We meet here in three years from to-day."

"We do, all being well. Good-bye, Charlie."

"Good-bye, old fellow."

Thus they parted, each on his separate quest for fortune.

[Illustration: "GOOD-B