"And may I ask," said J. P., when their personal part in the financing of Angus's affairs had been finally settled, and they stood at his gate for the third and last time, "may I ask, if it is not too curious on my part, if you intend to appropriate church funds for your contribution, or just rob the bank?" For J. P. knew well that Lawyer Ed's extravagant generosity always kept him on the edge of poverty. "Well, neither. Jock mightn't think the first was orthodox. I don't believe he'd object so strongly to the second, but it mightn't be successful. I think,--yes, I'm afraid, I must draw on the Jerusalem Fund again." "Of course, I knew you would. Let me see; that's seven times we've stayed home from the Holy Land, isn't it?--the perfect number. A person naturally thinks of sevens in connection with Bible places." Lawyer Ed laughed light-heartedly. Ever since the days when these two had tried to sit together in Sunday-school, and been separated by Doctor Leslie, they had planned that some time, they would make a visit together to Bible lands. Many a time since the trip had almost materialised, but Lawyer Ed's money would fade away, or J. P.'s business interfere or some other contingency arise to make them stay at home. The final plans had been laid for the coming autumn, and now it was again to be postponed. But J. P. was not deceived into supposing Lawyer Ed was merely drawing upon a holiday fund. "I believe you have somewhere about five dollars laid away for that trip, haven't you?" "Four-and-a-half, to be correct," said his friend brazenly. "I thought so. And where's the rest going to spring from?" He was accustomed to keeping a stern eye on Ed's affairs or the extravagant young man would have given away his house and office and all their contents long ago. Lawyer Ed did not answer for a moment. He looked like a naughty schoolboy caught In a foolish prank. The confession came out at last. "I'd almost decided not to go in with Will Graham's scheme. I don't see how I can leave here just now, that's a fact." "Ed!" cried his friend, half-admiring, half-impatient. "Why, man, it's the chance of your life. Bill's making money so fast he can't keep count of it. You'll be a rich man and a famous one too in a few years if you go in with him, do you realise that?" "Oh, there are lots more chances." "Yes, and they'll slip away like this one. I,--can't I help a little more?" "No. And don't talk any more about it. It's just this way, Jock, I've no choice in the matter. If it was my last cent, and I knew I'd go to jail for it to-morrow, I'd help Angus. I just couldn't see him want. It's all right. I'll stay on in Algonquin a few more years, and we'll see what'll happen. Good-night." "Yes, and good-night to all your ambitions and the Holy Land too."