DISINHERITED 5

years in Egypt, and speak Arabic and Koptic fluently. I am strong and active, and am ready to make myself useful in any way.”

I Mr. Partridge did not answer for a minute. Certainly

I this applicant was not at all the sort of man he had expected

j

to apply for the place in answer to his advertisement. That

i he was evidently a gentleman was far from an advantage,

I but the fact that he could speak the languages would add

I much to his value.

j Can you give me references ? ” he said at last.

I I cannot, sir. I should not like to apply to any of my

I friends in such a matter. I must ask you to take me on trust. Frankly, I have quarrelled with my family and have to strike out for myself. Were it not for my wife’s health I could earn my living, but I am told it is essential that she should go to a warm climate, and as I see no other way of accomplishing this I have applied for this situation, hoping that my knowledge of the language and my readiness to per- form whatever duties I may be required to do, might induce you to give me a trial.”

‘^And you would, if necessary—say in the case of illness

of one of my clerks—be ready to help in the office ? ”

Certainly, sir.” “ Will you call again in half an hour? I will give you an answer then.”

1 By the time Gregory returned, the merchant’s mind was made up. He had come to the conclusion that the story he had heard was a true one ; the way it had been told was con-

vincing. The man was undoubtedly a gentleman; there was no mistake in his manner and talk. He had quarrelled with

his family, probably over his marriage, and, as so many had

! done, found it difficult to keep his head above water. His

wife had been ordered to a warm climate, and he was ready

1 to do anything that would enable him to keep her there. It would assuredly be a jould

act in an emergency dedge of