roke out Jim, in fear of further awkwardness, "in fact the
gentleman you are speaking of is my friend here."

If Clarke and his friend had suddenly been confronted by a tribe of wild
Indians they could not have been more taken aback than they were at this
announcement. In fact, it was an awkward moment for everybody. Nobody
knew exactly what to say, or which way to look. But a welcome
interruption arrived.

My heart beat suddenly as I heard at the bottom of the stairs a sound.
Some one was coming up two steps at a time. Nearer and nearer the light
feet came, and my agitation told me whom they brought.

There was a rap at the door, a click on the latch, and then, after all
these years, I saw once more my dear first master, Charlie Newcome.
Little he guessed I was so near him!

He had spent the previous day with Jim, and was therefore no stranger in
his rooms; indeed, from the moment he entered them, he appeared as much
at home there as their own master. He greeted the visitors pleasantly,
and then, in the old Randlebury style, demanded if breakfast was
anywhere near ready, as he was starving.

He had the beginnings of a fierce moustache, he stood six feet high in
his boots, and there was a look of power about him which exceeded even
the promise of his Randlebury days. Otherwise he was the same. He had
the same clear, honest eyes, the same frank smile, the same merry laugh,
for which everyone had loved him then; and as I looked at him and
rejoiced, I felt I would give the world to be back in my old place in
his pocket.

Jim, as he himself had said, was proud enough of his friend, and no
wonder. His arrival, too, at the instant when it occurred, was most
opportune, and made him a specially welcome addition to our party,
which, including my master, was very soon on the best of terms round the
hospitable Jim's table.

"It's not often," said that worthy, "one gets two pairs of deadly
enemies eating out of the same dish."

"What's the fellow talking about?" asked Charlie, passing up his plate
for more steak.

"Well," said Jim, "you and I are, or shall be, deadly enemies to-day,
old man."

"Rather," responded Charlie; "so much the worse for you. But where's
the other pair?"

"Why, Clarke and Reader."

"I?" exclaimed Clarke, in an alarmed tone. "I hope Mr Reader and I are
not at enmity?"

"Oh, yes, you are; don't you know Reader's the fellow in against you for
the `Wigram'?" said Jim.

Clarke was as