that he was a prophet. He could only say, in his firmest voice,--

"Malkiel the Second, be brave. You must see this thing through."

On hearing these original and noble words Malkiel lifted up his marred
countenance.

"I know it, sir, I know it," he answered. "One moment. The thought of
Madame--the Stores--I--of all that might perhaps have been--"

He choked again. The Prophet looked away. A strong man's emotion is
always very scared and very terrible. Three minutes swept by, then the
Prophet heard a calm and hollow voice say,--

"And now, sir, to business."

The Prophet looked up, and perceived that Malkiel's overcoat was
tightly buttoned and that his mouth was tightly set in an expression of
indomitable, though tragic, resolution.

"What business?" asked the Prophet.

"Mine," replied Malkiel. "Mine, sir, and yours. You have chosen to enter
my life. You cannot deny that. You cannot deny that I sought to avoid--I
might even say to dodge you."

With the remembrance of the recent circus performance in the library
still strong upon him the Prophet could not. He bowed his head.

"Very well, sir. You have chosen to enter my life. That act has given me