Cabot," he said. "I see you are promptly on hand, and,
I suppose, anxious to be off. Well, I don't blame you, for a pleasure
trip around the world isn't offered to every young fellow, and I wish I
were in a position to take such a one myself. I have had prepared a
letter of credit for the balance of your property remaining in our
hands, and while it probably is not as large a sum as your friend
Walling will carry, it is enough to see you through very comfortably,
if you exercise a reasonable economy. I have also written letters of
introduction to our agents in several foreign cities that may prove
useful. Let me hear from you occasionally, and I trust you will have
fully as good a time as you anticipate."

"Thank you, sir," said Cabot. "You are very kind."

"Not at all. I am only striving to carry out your father's
instructions, and do what he paid to have done. Now, how about the
young man you were to recommend? Have you thought of one?"

"No, sir, I haven't. You see, all the fellows who graduated with
honours found places waiting for them, and as I knew you would only
want one of the best, I can't think of one whom I can recommend for
your purpose. I am very sorry, but----"

"I fear I did not make our requirements quite clear," interrupted Mr.
Hepburn, "since I did not mean to convey the impression that we would
employ none but an honour man. It often happens that he who ranks
highest as a student fails of success in the business world; and under
certain conditions I would employ the man who graduated lowest in his
class rather than him who stood at its head."

Cabot's face expressed his amazement at this statement, and noting it,
Mr. Hepburn smiled as he continued:

"The mere fact that a young man has graduated from your Institute, even
though it be with low rank, insures his possession of technical
knowledge sufficient for our purpose. If, at the same time, he is a
gentleman endowed with the faculty of making friends, as well as an
athlete willing to meet and able to overcome physical difficulties, I
would employ him in preference to a more studious person who lacked any
of these qualifications. If you, for instance, had not already decided
upon a plan for spending the ensuing year, I should not hesitate to
offer you the position we desire to fill."

Cabot trembled with excitement. "I--Mr. Hepburn!" he exclaimed.
"Would you really have offered it to me?"

"Certainly I would. I desired you to