stopped. "This is Owens
College."

Paul got out, and the tram went on. He looked at the great building
like one spell-bound. He had heard, in a vague sort of way, that this
was the head-quarters of the Victoria University. He did not know much
as to what this meant, but it appealed to him, captivated him. It was
the centre of learning--knowledge. Here men taught the knowledge that
meant power, progress, achievement. It was not quite so foggy here as
in the heart of the city, and the moon did its best to pierce the
clouds, and in its pale light Paul could see something of the
proportions of this great centre of learning. He wandered around it,
and noted what he supposed were the various departments of education.
He almost forgot where he was; he did not heed the lapse of time. This
was Owens College! It seemed to him the heart of the universe, the
centre of the world of knowledge, and he would go there some day, he
would learn things; and before his eyes flashed a vision of a brilliant
future. What others had done he could do. It meant work; but what of
that? He loved it. It meant suffering; but then he had never known
anything else.

Presently he found himself in Oxford Road again, and then, like one in
a dream, he tramped back to the centre of the city. He had been
travelling from early morning, but he felt no weariness. Manchester
was the city of dreams. By the time he had got back to Market Street
again the streets were deserted, save for a few late stragglers. The
trams had ceased running, the theatres had emptied themselves while he
had been away, and only an occasional vehicle passed him. All through
the night he wandered through the dark, murky streets, and as he did so
the mystery of it all, the wonder of it all, filled his heart. Yes, he
was in a new world, and in this new world were new thoughts, new modes
of life. In after-years Paul recalled the experiences of that night;
it seemed to him that it marked a new era in his life. Especially did
he feel this as again and again he came to the Town Hall. The place
had a strong attraction for him, because it was here he believed that
the G. D. Graham of whom he had read had defended the man who, as it
appeared to him, was guilty of a crime. More than one policeman
noticed him as he stood there looking at its lofty towers and listening
for the deep tones of the bell which told of the passing time. But no
one molested him; he was respectably