be very queerly written that he could not translate, and the message an exceedingly crooked one that he could not render into smoothly written French. But how did Mr. Stephens know all these things? Well, never mind. Only, he said with energy, there are some more things that I _will_ know if I have the good fortune to get near that German clerk of his, and Winny shall have her chance at German yet. Callers found their usually brisk host almost inattentive during the remainder of that afternoon. About five o'clock he dispatched a note, addressed "J. H. McPherson, Euclid House," and astonished and delighted his young waiter by an unusually early putting up of shutters, and of putting things generally to rights for the night. In fact, it was not more than seven o'clock when Jim McPherson arrived and found his old-time companion alone and in waiting. "Halloo! What's up?" was his greeting. "You received my note?" "Yes, and have been dying of curiosity ever since to know what the 'important business intimately connected with' myself, could be about I thought at one time though, that I wasn't going to get away. All creation appeared to want to take supper with us to-night. What are you all shut up so early for?" "Business. Jim, I have just the chance for you to get away from there." "How?" "Well," and then his companion launched forth in an account of his afternoon letter, and the prospects which were opening before him, and also his idea of the prospects which were opening before Jim. When he ceased, the said Jim gazed at him in silence for a moment, and then said: "And you offer me an out-and-out partnership?" "Out-and-out. You can come right in here and take the business just as it is, furniture and fixtures of all sorts, and from this time forth until we change our minds I'll pay half the expenses and share the profits. That is--well, there's only one proviso." "I thought there must be something somewhere. What is it?" "You know, Jim, this is a temperance business." "Of course. What's your proviso?" "You must sign the pledge." "Stuff and nonsense." "Very well, if that's your final answer we will drop the subject." "But, Tode, that's perfectly silly. Can't you trust a fellow unless he puts his name to a piece of paper like a baby? I don't drink, and I won't sell rum here. What more do you want?" "Want you to say so on paper." "What for?" "To gratify me perhaps. It isn't a great deal to do. If you mean what you say you can have no serious objection to doing so." "Yes, but I have. I don't approve of signing away my liberty in that style." "Who has been saying that to you?" asked Theodore, gravely. "Perhaps I said it myself." "I think not. I believe _you_, personally, have more sense." Whereat Jim laughed and looked a little ashamed.