orning and we'll talk of what we've been through, both of
us."

He walked briskly on and Harry heard his firm step ringing on the floor.
The boy retired to his own room again and locked the door. He had liked
Shepard from the first. He had seemed to him frank and open and no
one could deny his right to come to Charleston if he pleased. And yet
Colonel Talbot, a man of a delicate and sensitive mind, which quickly
registered true impressions, had distrusted him. He had even given
Harry a vague warning, which he felt that he could not ignore. He made
up his mind that he would not see Shepard in the morning. He would make
it a point to rise so early that he could avoid him.

His conclusion formed, he slept soundly until the first sunlight poured
in at the window that he had left open. Then, remembering that he
intended to avoid Shepard, he jumped out of bed, dressed quickly and
went down to breakfast, which he had been told he could get as early
as he pleased.

Madame Delaunay was already there, still looking smooth and fresh in
the morning air. But St. Clair was the only guest who was as early as
Harry. Both greeted him pleasantly and hoped that he had slept well.
Their courtesy, although Harry had no doubt of its warmth, was slightly
more ornate and formal than that to which he had been used at home.
He recognized here an older society, one very ancient for the New World.

The breakfast was also different from the solid one that he always ate
at home. It consisted of fruits, eggs, bread and coffee. There was no
meat. But he fared very well, nevertheless. St. Clair, he now learned,
was a bank clerk, but after office hours he was drilling steadily in one
of the Charleston companies.

"If you enlist, come with me," he said to Harry. "I can get you a place
on the staff, and that will suit you."

Harry accepted his offer gladly, although he felt that he could not take
up his new duties for a few days. Matters of money and other things
were to be arranged.

"All right," said St. Clair. "Take your time. I don't think there's
any need to hurry."

Harry left Madame Delaunay's house immediately after breakfast, still
firm in his purpose to avoid Shepard, and went to the bank, on which
he held drafts properly attested. Not knowing what the future held,
and inspired perhaps by some counsel of caution, he drew half of it
in gold, intending to keep it about his person, risking the chance of
robbery. Then he