“Before I make you the offer that is in my mind,” he said, when we again reached his office and I was once more seated opposite to him, “I wish to ask you whether you heard that I lost my only son a few months ago under somewhat tragic—circumstances.” “I was at Lowhaven,” I said gently. He looked at me in unfeigned surprise. “You were at Lowhaven?” “I did not mention it before, but I was staying in the same hotel.” “I don’t remember you.” “I kept out of your way. I was naturally unwilling to intrude at such a time.” He buried his face in his hands, and something between a groan and a sigh escaped him. It was evident that the memory of his bereavement was inexpressibly poignant. “I am glad you knew him, if only by sight. Did you ever speak to him?” “A few words in the hotel smoking-room, that is all. He was a splendid looking fellow.” “He was. It has broken his mother’s heart. It was strange that you should have been there.” “I did not even know his name, till——” I paused. He uncovered a haggard face. “Well, it is over; the past cannot be recalled. Would you care to come into my firm?” He made the offer hurriedly, as if anxious to escape from painful thoughts. He then laid his plan before me. I was to come into the firm and learn the business of stockbroking. Further than that he was not prepared to go, and he made no promises. He looked at me steadily as he said this, and I gathered that if I were satisfactory I might hope for all things. A glance at his face convinced me that he was not the man to recede from any promise, no matter how much his sympathy with me became a diminishing quantity, providing my abilities were sufficient. I accepted his offer. It might be possible to use the situation as a lever. It certainly put an end to the obscurity which I had considered so strong an asset. I have often wondered before and since the trial whether my original plans might not have been more successful. I believe that they would have furnished more adventure and excitement. At the same time, the difficulties would have been almost insurmountable, and—well, I chose my methods and I failed, although I have consolation in the brilliance of the failure. I was to have two hundred and fifty pounds a year to begin with. It was decidedly a princely offer, considering that he would be paying for the trouble of teaching me. “Later on, Mr. Rank, it would give me pleasure to present you to my wife. At present I am afraid that you, in the plenitude of your youth and manhood, might rouse sad thoughts.” He drew me a cheque for twenty pounds, and, taking me into the outer office, introduced me to his manager, chief clerk, and the staff generally, and, asking me to be at the office at ten o’clock the next morning, dismissed me.