t."

"A prospect?"

"Yes."

"Is there anything you are concealing from me?"

"I am considering your interests alone," was the reply.

"But your revelation?"

"It is not necessary for me to tell you once again that I have provided
for you to learn the secret of my life in case anything should happen to
me."

Desmond at once began his arrangements for a return to the East. He had
been away for many months; he had plenty of money; his return would be
in great triumph in every way. He purchased fine clothes, which he was
able to do even in the far Western town where he was stopping, and when
he arrayed himself in his good clothes even Brooks was surprised at the
wonderful transformation well-fitting attire made in the youth. Desmond
was indeed a fine-looking fellow, well educated comparatively, and as is
not unusually the case, he was naturally capable of adapting himself to
changed conditions. He did not seem awkward in his good clothes, but
appeared as though he had worn fine attire all his life.

At length the hour came when Desmond and Brooks were to part company.
The wizard tramp had a sad look upon his face, although he tried to be
cheerful and jovial The attempt, however, was a failure. He said:

"I will not go with you to the train, Desmond, we will part here, and
you can address your letters to me here; I will arrange to have them
forwarded to me in case I go prospecting again."

"You will go prospecting, I suppose, of course."

"I cannot tell; but remember, if anything happens to me I have arranged
for you to be communicated with."

There came a look of concern to our hero's face, and the discerning
Brooks said:

"You have something to say."

"I have an idea."

"Well?"

"There is great peril in the wilderness."

"Yes."

"There have been cases where men have lost their lives and their deaths
have not become known until many years afterward."

"That is true, lad, and I have calculated for that."

"You have?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"You will know if such an event should occur. In the meantime let me
tell you if a year should pass and you do not hear from me you will know
that I am dead."

"And then?"

"Tell Amy."

"And then?"

"She may make a disclosure to you. Remember, I have taken every
precaution."

"I do not know why you should withhold from me your life secret. No harm
could come of an immediate revelation, but of course you have your own
reasons for withholding your story."