the end of his
second year he wrote to the authorities to say that the source of supply
on which he had depended for paying his college and other bills (which
had accumulated to a very considerable extent) had suddenly ceased, and
he was unable to meet his obligations. As he was in destitution, he
could make no suggestion for meeting them, and requested us to accept an
undertaking from him to discharge them if possible at a future time.
Under the circumstances he was informed that he was not to come up
again, and his name was struck off the books. I believe that since then
a few of his debts have been reduced by small instalments."

"I am very grieved to hear what you tell me. Could you very kindly tell
me the address from which he last wrote?"

"If I remember, it was from a coffee-house in London, and he mentioned
that he was hoping to obtain employment as a private tutor in a family."

"Well, sir, although this is very disagreeable news for my friend. I am
sure he will thank you all the same. I suppose you have no idea, beyond
this address in London, what became of him?"

"None."

"Or where he lived before he came to Oxford?"

"I was looking for that. I see the address on the entrance form is 3,
Blue Street, London."

Captain Oliphant made a note of the address, and after effusive thanks,
said good-bye.

He spent two interesting days in Oxford looking about him and enjoying
himself considerably. But although he met several men whose names he
knew, and made several new acquaintances, he was unable to hear anything
further of the defaulting undergraduate of --- College.

On his return to town, as he had still a day or two to spare, this
industrious gentleman, with a good deal of trouble, found out Number 3,
Blue Street. For a person of his refined tastes it was in a shockingly
low neighbourhood near one of the docks, and Blue Street itself was one
of the shadiest--metaphorically--of its streets.

It consisted mainly of slop shops, patronised by the shipping interest,
and displaying wares of which one half at least might be safely counted
upon as stolen property. Number Three, which for some unexplained
reason was located half-way down the street, was an establishment of
this sort, very offensive to the nose and not at all agreeable to the
eye. Old clothes of every fashion and antiquity hung exposed in the
dingy window, while within a still larger assortment lay piled up on the
counter. Nor were t