ght. Many
thanks for your society."

Before Browne went to bed that night, he ascended to his magnificent
picture gallery, the same which had been the pride and glory of his
father's heart, and, turning up the electric light, examined a picture
which had lately been hung at the farther end. It was a Norwegian
subject, and represented the mountains overlooking the little
landlocked harbour of Merok. How much had happened since he had last
looked upon that scene, and what a vital change that chance meeting had
brought about in his life! It seemed scarcely believable, and yet how
true it all was! And some day, if all went well, Katherine would stand
in the self-same hall looking upon the same picture, mistress of the
beautiful house and all it contained. Before that consummation could
be brought about, however, they had a difficult piece of work to do.
And what would happen supposing he should never return? What if he
should fall into the hands of the Russian Government? That such a fate
might befall him was far from being unlikely, and it would behove him
to take all precautions in case it should occur. In his own mind he
knew exactly what those precautions would be. Waking from the
day-dream into which he had fallen, he glanced once more at the
picture, and then, with a little sigh for he knew not what, made his
way to his bedroom and retired to rest. Next morning he was up
betimes, and by nine o'clock had telegraphed to Southampton for the
captain of his yacht. At ten o'clock he ordered his hansom and drove
to his lawyers' office in Chancery Lane. The senior partner had that
moment arrived, so the clerk informed him.

"If you will be kind enough to step this way, sir," the youth
continued, "I will conduct you to him."

Browne did as he was requested, and followed him down a passage to a
room at the farther end. Browne's visits were red-letter days in the
calendar of the firm. When the lad returned to his high stool in the
office, it was to wonder how he would spend his time if he were the
possessor of such enormous wealth. It is questionable whether he would
have considered Browne so fortunate had he been made acquainted with
all the circumstances of the case. He was an irreproachable youth in
every way, who during the week wore a respectable black coat and
top-hat, and lived at Blackheath; while on Sundays he rode a tandem
bicycle with the girl of his heart, and dreamt of the cottage they were
to s