some goodly stroke of malaria may come to the rescue, and I can
breathe the grateful fog with double freedom. "Give the devil his
due," I believe the fellow is a veritable Mark Tapley--jolly under
all circumstances--and will in the end thank us for giving him a
change of climate and the vicissitudes of life so invigorating to
his athletic and muscular composition. Much depends upon you to
think and act at once. Saw that "drummer" yesterday; not a bad sort
of a fellow. He speaks well of you--says you are a tramp. Go to
headquarters on receipt of this and write immediately. If Lawson can
be induced to go, my prayers will follow you for life.

Yours in dilemma, H. T.

This epistle--disconnected and vague as it seems--needed no further
explanation on the part of the writer. The recipient was acquainted
with the whole history of Hubert Tracy's career and also that of
Montague Arnold.

It is necessary to add that while this correspondence was being
carried on, that Hubert Tracy was a daily caller at Mr. Lawson's
office, and without any apparent effort, had the satisfaction of
knowing that the young lawyer was much attracted by his engaging
manners and persuasive tongue.

It had been considered somewhat strange that a man of Lawson's
integrity should look with favor upon a gay youth whose preferences
were ever on the side of conviviality, but many wise-headed seniors
said that the influence might be exerted upon the other side and
Tracy would thank heaven for the star which guided him thither.