am somewhat of an
exception, but I have. Well, the part of that book which interests me
most is the Book of Ecclesiastes. Perhaps that is because the experience
of its writer is my own experience. In all essential features, Solomon,
or whoever was the author, wrote my experience. I have tried everything,
Mr. Briarfield."

"And your conclusion?"

"Solomon's."

"If that were my creed," said Briarfield, "I should commit suicide."

"Of course I have thought of that--without fear. But I came to the
conclusion that it wasn't worth while. 'For in that sleep of death what
dreams may come! Ay, there's the rub.' Besides, I've something to live
for."

"According to your creed I do not see what," said Briarfield. "It would
be interesting to know."

"Ah, but I have something to live for, Mr. Briarfield."

"I suppose I might be intruding on your privacy if I sought to know what
it was?"

"It's not love, and it's not money," said Ricordo. "Ah, Herr Truebner, I
apologise. I have monopolised your guest completely, and that is
unforgivable. You have a great gift, my friend--all the Germans
have--and it makes them a great people."

"What gift is that, signore?"

"The gift of listening."

After this the conversation drifted into general subjects, and a little
later Herbert Briarfield took his leave.

"The man interests me, fascinates me, and yet I do not like him," he
said to himself as he rode home-ward. "I wonder who and what he is? But
for that peculiar far-away sound in his voice, he speaks English like an
Englishman. Sometimes I thought I detected a suggestion of Oxford in his
tones. But then, again, when he spoke German to Truebner, he might have
been reared in Berlin or Heidelberg. Again, he seems to know the East
perfectly. I want to know more about him, and yet I feel afraid of him.
In any case, I'll be at that concert on Friday. I wonder what she will
think of him?"

"What do you think of Mr. Briarfield, signore?" asked Herr Truebner when
he found himself alone with the stranger.

"I think he is in love with what you call the guardian angel of this
place."

"I never thought of that," said the German. "What made _you_ think of
it?"

"I kept my eyes open and I listened, that is all."

"It may be as you say," said the German reflectively. "Well, I should
say from what I have heard, it would be a good match. He is a fine
specimen of the English gentleman. I am told that he is well-off and
very ambitious."