d them, but
passed on. The adventure rectified his fraternizing impulse. Albeit
standing accountant for so great a sin, the mire was as yet alien to
him.

But there was pertinence in the young woman's question; where was he
going, indeed? Since the catastrophe on board the steamer, he had
forgotten Doctor Glyphic. He felt small inclination to meet his
relative now; but certain considerations of personal interest no
longer wore the same color as yesterday. Robbed of his self-respect,
he could ill afford to surrender worldly wealth into the bargain. On
the other hand, to palm himself off on his uncle for a true man was
adding hypocrisy to his other crime.

Such an objection, however, could hardly have turned the scale. Great
crimes are magnets of smaller ones. It was necessary for Helwyse to
alter the whole scheme of his life-voyage; and since he had failed in
beating up against the wind, why not make all sail before it?
Meanwhile, it was easier to call on Doctor Glyphic than to devise a
new course of action; and thus, had matters been allowed to take their
natural turn, mere inertia might have brought about their meeting.

But the irony of events turns our sternest resolves to ridicule. On
the next street-corner was a hair-dresser's shop, its genial little
proprietor, plump and smug, rubbing his hands and smiling in the
doorway. Beholding the commanding figure of the yellow-bearded young
aristocrat, afar off, his professional mouth watered over him. What a
harvest for shears and razor was here! Dare he hope that to him would
be intrusted the glorious task of reaping it?

As Helwyse gained the corner, his weary eyes took in the smiling
hair-dresser, the little room beyond cheerful with sunshine and
colored paper-hangings, and the padded chair for customers to recline
in. Here might he rest awhile, and rise up a new man,--a stranger to
himself and to all who had known him. It was fitting that the inward
change should take effect without; not to mention that the wearing of
so conspicuous a mane was as unsafe as it was unsuitable.

He entered the shop, therefore,--the proprietor backing and bowing
before him,--and sat down with a sigh in the padded chair. Immediately
he was enveloped in a light linen robe, a towel was tucked in round
his neck by deft caressing fingers, the soothing murmur of a voice was
in his ear, and presently sounded the click-click of shears. The
descendant of the Vikings closed his eyes and felt c