"'The diamond out of my ring. In my trouser pocket, of all places in the world! Fell out while I was groping for my keys, I suppose. Sorry to have raised false hopes in your friend Rudolph. By the way, he'll have finished that job of yours before very long?' "'In about a week, I fancy. I shall be sorry to leave Paris.' "'Yes? Well, it is a nice place; but one gets tired of the nicest places in time. I do. I like to be moving.' "'I shall have a month to spend on my way to Rome. This is almost my first experience of the Continent. I wish I had some travelling companion who knew the ropes.' This hint I let fall in the hope that he might propose to join me; but as he made no rejoinder, I at length ventured to put it more plainly. I gave a rough sketch of the route I proposed to follow, asked his opinion upon it, and finally said that, should his inclination lead him also in that direction, I should be very glad of his company. "'Well, sir, I'm obliged to you,' replied Mr. Birchmore, after a pause of some moments. 'You couldn't pay a man a better compliment than to ask him to travel with you; and I would accept your offer as frankly and fearlessly as you make it, only--well, the fact is, I'm not so entirely at my own disposal as I may appear to you to be. I have been through a good many experiences in life, and some of the consequences are upon me still. When you have reached my age--if you ever do reach it--you will understand me better. I suppose I may be fifteen years your senior; well, fifteen years means a good deal--a good deal.' He puffed a meditative cloud or two, and then added, 'You're not hurt? You see how it is? I would really like to accompany you--but I can't.'