‘Phil,’ he said quietly, at the close of his friend’s story, ‘we have always had a great wish to knock about the world together. My grandfather is dead. I am his heir. I shall have more than a thousand a year. I am to receive the income at once, without waiting for my majority. Will you cast in your lot with mine, Phil, and come with me? I am going to start almost at once, when I have signed the needful papers. Leave your uncle Belassis and all his crew—cut the connection and come with me. “Where one can dine, two can dine,” you know. A thousand a year will keep the pair of us. An office-stool, or a life of travel and adventure—which do you choose, Phil?’ Phil’s face had flushed crimson. ‘Tor!’ he cried, ‘do you mean it really?’ ‘You know I mean it. I meant it as soon as ever I had the news, before I knew what a welcome you would get. I have had the plan in my head these three or four years past. Don’t disappoint me, Phil; don’t desert me. You know we just suit one another. You know your uncle Belassis is a scamp, and will ruin you if he can. Don’t give him the chance. Give him the slip instead. Tell him nothing, but come away with me. After you are of age you can write to your sister—or before, if you think he will not follow and claim you. I think we could be a match for him if he did,’ Tor added reflectively; ‘I don’t think he’d come a second time. Well, Phil, will you come?’ ‘But, Tor—don’t be offended with me—how can I ever hope to repay you for all I shall cost you?’ Tor laughed lightly. ‘Don’t trouble yourself over that, my dear boy. Wait till I ask for payment. Besides,’ as he caught a dissatisfied look upon Phil’s face, ‘I have a strong presentiment that the old uncle will leave you his fortune in the end. You are his natural heir; you can pay me then.’ ‘You promise, if that happens, you’ll take the money?’ ‘Oh yes; I promise.’ ‘Then I’ll come. I’ll run away. I’ll vanish from the face of Uncle Belassis’ earth, and go with you, Tor. Oh, Tor, it will be splendid!’ They were too young and enthusiastic to be troubled with thoughts of the future, to consider the possibilities of life and the unpractical nature of such a partnership as the one just proposed. The possibility of Tor’s marriage, the danger of a quarrel, the chance of accident, sickness, or death never troubled their heads. They had money; they had health; they had, or would obtain, freedom; and they would see the world together. This was the sum-total of their reflections, and all they cared for was to get off as fast as possible. Phil never returned to his dingy lodgings. He lay _perdu_ for a few days, for fear of search, and then he and Tor sailed together for America. CHAPTER II. NEWS FROM ENGLAND. Ten years later, upon a hot day in May, Torrington Torwood sat beside Philip Debenham’s sick-bed in a large, bare room of an odd little hotel in the village of Hornberg, in the Black Forest.