the reproach; but it certainly lays upon us the obligation of being more careful than perhaps we might otherwise be, of even giving way a little, of being a trifle more liberal. It is a duty we owe to ourselves. Surely there is no race to which it is a greater honour, and should be the greatest pride to belong, than the Jewish race; and by my conduct through life I trust I shall do nothing to tarnish that honour or lower that pride. Moreover, what I can do to weaken a prejudice shall be done to the last hour of my life. It may or may not be for that reason that I decline to follow the political economist to the depths into which he has fallen." Mr. Moss's eyes gleamed. Aaron had touched a sympathetic cord; the men shook hands and smiled cordially at each other. "When you were in Gosport," said Mr. Moss, "I ought to have asked you to go into partnership with me." "If you had made the offer," responded Aaron, "I should have accepted it." "Lucky for you that I missed my opportunity. It is a fortunate thing that you went to France when you did." "Very fortunate. It opened up a new career for me; it restored my dear wife to health; my son was born there." "About the poor child I brought to you in Gosport, Cohen. We have never spoken of it." "That is true," said Aaron, outwardly calm; but his heart beat more quickly. "Did the lawyers ever write to you again?" "Never." "And I have heard nothing. The iron box I gave you--you have it still, I suppose?" "I have it still." "I have often wondered what it contains, and whether the mother will ever call for it." "If she does it shall be handed to her in the same condition as you handed it to me. But she does not know in whose possession it is." "No, she does not know, and she can only obtain the information from Mr. Gordon's lawyers. My lips are sealed." Aaron considered a moment. This opening up of the dreaded subject made him keenly sensible of the sword that was hanging over his head; but his sense of justice impelled him to say, "It may happen that the mother will wish to have the box restored to her, and that the lawyers may refuse to give her the information that it is in my possession. She may seek elsewhere for a clue, and may be directed to you." "Who will direct her? Nothing is more unlikely." "It is at least probable," said Aaron. "Well," Mr. Moss rejoined, "if she does apply to me, I shall not enlighten her. It is none of my business." "My desire is that you do enlighten her. The box is her property, and I have no right to retain it." "Very well, Cohen, if you wish it; but it is my opinion that you will never see her again. She has forgotten all about it long ago." "You are mistaken. A mother never forgets."