rial bustle; and in Chance I place my sole
reliance. Chance has brought us three together; when we next separate
and go forth our several ways, Chance will continually drag before our
careless eyes a thousand eloquent clues, not to this mystery only, but
to the countless mysteries by which we live surrounded. Then comes the
part of the man of the world, of the detective born and bred. This clue,
which the whole town beholds without comprehension, swift as a cat, he
leaps upon it, makes it his, follows it with craft and passion, and from
one trifling circumstance divines a world."

"Just so," said Challoner; "and I am delighted that you should recognise
these virtues in yourself. But in the meanwhile, dear boy, I own myself
incapable of joining. I was neither born nor bred as a detective, but as
a placable and very thirsty gentleman; and, for my part, I begin to
weary for a drink. As for clues and adventures, the only adventure that
is ever likely to occur to me will be an adventure with a bailiff."

"Now there is the fallacy," cried Somerset. "There I catch the secret of
your futility in life. The world teems and bubbles with adventure; it
besieges you along the streets; hands waving out of windows, swindlers
coming up and swearing they knew you when you were abroad, affable and
doubtful people of all sorts and conditions begging and truckling for
your notice. But not you: you turn away, you walk your seedy mill round,
you must go the dullest way. Now here, I beg of you, the next adventure
that offers itself, embrace it in with both your arms; whatever it
looks, grimy or romantic, grasp it. I will do the like; the devil is in
it, but at least we shall have fun; and each in turn we shall narrate
the story of our fortunes to my philosophic friend of the divan, the
great Godall, now hearing me with inward joy. Come, is it a bargain?
Will you, indeed, both promise to welcome every chance that offers, to
plunge boldly into every opening, and, keeping the eye wary and the head
composed, to study and piece together all that happens? Come, promise:
let me open to you the doors of the great profession of intrigue."

"It is not much in my way," said Challoner, "but, since you make a point
of it, amen."

"I don't mind promising," said Desborough, "but nothing will happen to
me."

"O faithless ones!" cried Somerset. "But at least I have your promises;
and Godall, I perceive, is transported with delight."

"I promise myself at