e touch again on
what Raffles professed to have forgotten--my "apostasy," my "lapse into
virtue," as he had been pleased to call it. We were both a little
silent, a little constrained, each preoccupied with his own thoughts.
It was months since we had met, and, as I saw him off towards eleven
o'clock that Sunday night, I fancied it was for more months that we
were saying good-by.

But as we waited for the train I saw those clear eyes peering at me
under the station lamps, and when I met their glance Raffles shook his
head.

"You don't look well on it, Bunny," said he. "I never did believe in
this Thames Valley. You want a change of air."

I wished I might get it.

"What you really want is a sea voyage."

"And a winter at St. Moritz, or do you recommend Cannes or Cairo? It's
all very well, A. J., but you forget what I told you about my funds."

"I forget nothing. I merely don't want to hurt your feelings. But,
look here, a sea voyage you shall have. I want a change myself, and
you shall come with me as my guest. We'll spend July in the
Mediterranean."

"But you're playing cricket--"

"Hang the cricket!"

"Well, if I thought you meant it--"

"Of course I mean it. Will you come?"

"Like a shot--if you go."

And I shook his hand, and waved mine in farewell, with the perfectly
good-humored conviction that I should hear no more of the matter. It
was a passing thought, no more, no less. I soon wished it were more;
that week found me wishing myself out of England for good and all. I
was making nothing. I could but subsist on the difference between the
rent I paid for my flat and the rent at which I had sublet it,
furnished, for the season. And the season was near its end, and
creditors awaited me in town. Was it possible to be entirely honest?
I had run no bills when I had money in my pocket, and the more
downright dishonesty seemed to me the less ignoble.

But from Raffles, of course, I heard nothing more; a week went by, and
half another week; then, late on the second Wednesday night, I found a
telegram from him at my lodgings, after seeking him vainly in town, and
dining with desperation at the solitary club to which I still belonged.

"Arrange to leave Waterloo by North German Lloyd special," he wired,
"9.25 A. M. Monday next will meet you Southampton aboard Uhlan with
tickets am writing."

And write he did, a light-hearted letter enough, but full of serious
solicitude for me and for my he