like an honest man."

Professor Riccabocca was so overjoyed to have back his own money that
he made no fuss about Philip's proceedings. Indeed, his own intended
dishonesty was so apparent that it would have required even more
assurance than he possessed to make a protest.

CHAPTER XXXIV. A NEW BUSINESS PROPOSAL.

Professor Riccabocca put the wallet in his pocket with a sigh of
satisfaction. There were still sixty dollars or more in it, and it was
long since he had been so rich.

He began to think now that it might be well to revive the combination.
There was some doubt, however, as to how Philip would receive the
proposal.

He looked at his young partner and was not much encouraged. He felt that
he must conciliate him.

"Mr. de Gray," he began.

"Call me Gray. My name is not de Gray."

"Well, Mr. Gray, then. I hope you don't have any hard feelings."

"About what?" inquired Philip, surveying the professor curiously.

"About--the past," stammered the professor.

"You mean about your running off with my money?" returned Philip
plainly.

Professor Riccabocca winced. He did not quite like this form of
statement. "I am afraid you misjudge me," he said, rather confused.

"I shall be glad to listen to any explanation you have to offer," said
our hero.

"I will explain it all to you, in time," said the professor, recovering
his old assurance. "In the meantime, I have a proposition to make to
you."

"What is it?"

"Suppose we give an entertainment in Knoxville--on the same terms as the
last."

"I shouldn't think you would like to appear before an audience here,
Professor Riccabocca."

"Why not?"

"Before night everybody will have heard of your running away with the
proceeds of the last concert."

"Public men are always misjudged. They must expect it," said the
professor, with the air of a martyr.

"I should think you would be more afraid of being justly judged."

"Mr. Gray," said the professor, "I have done wrong, I admit; but it was
under the influence of neuralgia. When I have a neuralgic headache, I am
not myself. I do things which, in a normal condition, I should not dream
of. I am the victim of a terrible physical malady."

Philip did not believe a word of this, but he felt amused at the
professor's singular excuse.

"Come, Mr. Gray, what do you say?"

"I think I must decline," returned Philip.

But here Professor Riccabocca received unexpected help.

Mr. Perry, the landlord, wh