really was _the_ drink; I've never tasted anything like it. Why,
there's the biggest fortune on record waiting for the man who can
supply _the_ drink for total-abstainers. And this friend of mine had
it. He gave me some to taste one night, about a month ago, and I
roared with delight. It was all arranged. I undertook to find enough
capital to start with, and to manage the concern. I would have given
up my work with Bullock and Freeman. I'd have gone in, tooth and
nail, for that drink! I sat up all one night trying to find a name
for it; but couldn't hit on the right one. A name is just as
important as the stuff itself that you want to sell. Next morning--
it was Sunday--I went round to my friend's lodgings, and'--he
slapped his thigh--'I'm blest if the chap hadn't cut his throat!'

'Why?'

'Betting and forgery. He would have been arrested next day. But the
worst of it was that his beverage perished with him. I hadn't a
notion how it was made; he wouldn't tell me till I planked down
money to start with; and not a drop of it could be found anywhere.
And to think that he had absolutely struck oil, as they say; had
nothing to do but sit down and count the money as it came in! That's
the third man I've known go wrong in less than a year. Betting and
embezzlement; betting and burglary; betting and forgery. I'll tell
you some time about the chap who went in for burglary. One of the
best fellows I ever knew; when he comes out, I must give him a hand.
But ten to one he'll burgle again; they always do; burglary grows on
a man, like drink.'

His laughter rang across the street; Barmby, who kept looking back,
surprised and indignant that this acquaintance of Miss. Lord's was