ripe years, and of the quiet and seclusion which he looked forward to
after his busy lifetime.

"With my young friend here," he said, patting Tom affectionately on the
shoulder, "and my own boy Ezra, both working together, there will be
young blood and life in the concern. They'll bring the energy, and when
they want advice they can come to the old man for it. I intend in a
year or so, when the new arrangement works smoothly, to have a run over
to Palestine. It may seem a weakness to you, but all my life I have
hoped some day to stand upon that holy ground, and to look down on those
scenes which we have all imagined to ourselves. Your son will start
with a good position and a fair income, which he will probably double
before he is five years older. The money invested by him is simply to
ensure that he shall have a substantial interest in promoting the
affairs of the firm." Thus the old man ran on, and when Tom and his
father left the office with the sound of great sums of money, and huge
profits, and heavy balances, and safe investments, all jostling each
other in their brains, they had both made up their minds as to the
future.

Hence in a couple of days there was a stir in the legal house of Jones,
Morgan, & Co., with much rustling of parchment, and signing of names,
and drinking of inferior sherry. The result of all which was that the
firm of Girdlestone & Co. were seven thousand pounds the richer, and
Thomas Dimsdale found himself a recognized member of a great commercial
house with all the rights and privileges appertaining thereto.

"A good day's work, Tom," said the old doctor, as they left the lawyer's
office together. "You have now taken an irrevocable step in life, my
boy. The world is before you. You belong to a first-class firm and you
have every chance. May you thrive and prosper."

"If I don't it won't be my fault," Tom answered with decision. "I shall
work with my whole heart and soul."

"A good day's work, Ezra," the African merchant was remarking at that
very moment in Fenchurch Street. "The firm is pinched again for working
expenses. This will help;" and he threw a little slip of green paper
across the table to his son.

"It will help us for a time," Ezra said, gloomily, glancing at the
figures. "It was fortunate that I was able to put you on his track.
It is only a drop in the ocean, however. Unless this diamond spec.
comes off, nothing can save us."

"But it shall come off," h