pened, brought a false promise of spring,
with a hard east wind and a clear sky.

Punctually at nine o'clock on Tuesday he arrived, clean and hale and
positively bronzed. The old preoccupation of over-work rested no
longer upon him. We had made ready with grilled sole, omelette,
bacon and a cold game-pie. He ate like a cavalryman, talking all the
while of his adventures. It appeared that he had chosen the "Leather
Bottle" at Clifton Hampden for headquarters, and had spent a part of
Sunday discussing Christian Science with an atheistical bagman.
He said not a word of Saturday's happenings--talked away, in fact, as
if he had returned to us, on perfect terms of understanding, out of a
void. Jimmy played up and mulled some beer for us afterwards, on a
recipe of which (he gave us to know) the College of Brasenose,
Oxford, alone possessed the secret, to be imparted only to such of
its sons as had deserved it by godliness and good learning.

Foe commended the brew, declined a cigar, and pulled out his old
pipe.

"Infernal job," he began, "having to talk business, 'specially when
you've tasted freedom."

He filled his pipe, lit it carefully, and went on. "I got back to
London early yesterday morning. Spent the day clearing up my worldly
affairs. . . . Don't look scared, Roddy. I've thrown up the
Professorship--that's all."

"Why, in the world?" I wanted to know.

"You may put it," he answered easily, "that, as the clerics say, I've
had a higher call."

"Don't understand," said I; "unless you're telling us that Travers--"

"Travers?" His eyebrows went up. "Oh, I see what you mean.
No: Travers hasn't been running around and finding me a better-paid
job as a solatium. He's a good fellow and quite capable of it.
Even hinted at something of the sort when I broke it to him verbally,
yesterday afternoon. I thanked him, but wasn't taking any. I get
quite as much money as I want at the Silversmiths'; and I've saved a
little, too. It's freedom, not money, I want; as a means to my
little end. I want complete freedom for a couple of years, perhaps
for three, or maybe even for longer. It may be I shall have to buy
myself an annuity. I'd ask for absolute independence if it could be
had--independence of all my fellow-creatures but one. But it can't
be had: so I've come to you for help."

"Say on," I commanded.

"It's this way, Roddy. Like the late General Trochu, I have a Plan.
Unlike his, it's a Great Plan. .