k, perhaps for
good."

For the first time she gave him her hand.

"Now you are talking like a man once more," she declared. "Go and seek
it. Comeback and say good-bye to us, if you will, but throw your tools
into the sea."

Tavernake laughed and looked across at his workshop.

"I don't believe," he said, "that you've any confidence in my boat."

"I'm not sure that I would sail with you," she answered, "even if you
ever finished it. A laborer's work for a laborer's hand. You must go
back to the other things."

CHAPTER III. OLD FRIENDS MEET

The professor set down his tumbler upon the zinc-rimmed counter. He was
very little changed except that he had grown a shade stouter, and there
was perhaps more color in his cheeks. He carried himself, too, like a
man who believes in himself. In the small public-house he was, without
doubt, an impressive figure.

"My friends," he remarked, "our host's whiskey is good. At the same
time, I must not forget--"

"You'll have one with me, Professor," a youth at his elbow interrupted.
"Two special whiskies, miss, if you please."

The professor shrugged his shoulders--it was a gesture which he
wished every one to understand. He was suffering now the penalty for a
popularity which would not be denied!

"You are very kind, sir," he said, "very kind, indeed. As I was about to
say, I must not forget that in less than half an hour I am due upon the
stage. It does not do to disappoint one's audience, sir. It is a poor
place, this music-hall, but it is full, they tell me packed from floor
to ceiling. At eight-thirty I must show myself."

"A marvelous turn, too, Professor," declared one of the young men by
whom he was surrounded.

"I thank you, sir," the professor replied, turning towards the speaker,
glass in hand. "There have been others who have paid me a similar
compliment; others, I may say, not unconnected with the aristocracy of
your country--not unconnected either, I might add," he went on, "with
the very highest in the land, those who from their exalted position
have never failed to shower favors upon the more fortunate sons of our
profession. The science of which I am to some extent the pioneer--not a
drop more, my young friend. Say, I'm in dead earnest this time! No more,
indeed."

The young man in knickerbockers who had just come in banged the head of
his cane upon the counter.

"You'll never refuse me, Professor," he asserted, confidently. "I'm
an old support