solid nature than his own. Then the world and Oxbridge joined again in a
chorus of praise. What could be more honest, more straightforward, than
submitting the MS. to a final examination at the hands of the two
curators of the FitzTaylor, who were to have the first refusal of the MS.
if it was considered authentic? No museum was ever given such an
opportunity. Professor Girdelstone and his colleague soon came to a
conclusion. They decided that there could be no doubt as to the
authenticity of the Aulus Gellius. In portions it was true that between
the lines other characters were partly legible; but this threw no slur on
the MS. itself. Of the commentary on the book of Jasher, it will be
remembered, they gave no decisive opinion, and it is still an open
question. They expressed their belief that the Aulus Gellius was alone
worth the price asked by Dr. Groschen. It only remained now for the
University to advance a sum to the FitzTaylor for the purchase of this
treasure. The curators, rather prematurely perhaps, wrote privately to
Dr. Groschen making him an offer for his MS., and paid him half the
amount out of their own pockets, so as to close the bargain once and for
all.

The delay of the University in making the grant caused a good deal of
apprehension in the hearts of Professor Girdelstone and Monteagle. They
feared that the enormous sums offered by the Berlin Museum would tempt
even the simple-minded Dr. Groschen, though the interests of the
FitzTaylor were so near his heart. These suspicions proved unfounded as
they were ungenerous. The _savant_ was contented with his degree and
college rooms, and showed no hurry for the remainder of the sum to be
paid.

One night, when I was seated in my rooms beside the fire, preparing
lectures on the ichthyosaurus, I was startled by a knock at my door. It