nding
that he had an hour or so to spare, he went to an inn to snatch a meal
before he started off on his long journey.

He had partaken of many a meal in that same inn. It was close to the
Board of Trade offices, and he had met many another merchant sailor in
the same dingy rooms, and had discussed the prospects of the service
with them gladly. As he entered it on that day, happy and cheerful, with
his future looking brilliant and rosy before him, he little imagined how
near was the end of all his hopes. Such a small thing had turned the
tide! Only that fatal decision to go to the inn to which he had been so
often before, and pass the time till his train started! Others were
taking their lunch there, but the number was smaller than usual; perhaps
it was yet early for the rush. Dick sat at a side-table, reading over
his certificate as he ate his modest meal.

So far all is clear. After this the account became so confused and
contradictory that the actual truth was never known. After a good deal
of sifting, the following facts were accepted as the best version of
what must have taken place. According to the landlord's tale, most of
the guests had left, Dick and another sailor being either the sole
remaining men in the room, or nearly so. They were lunching at the same
table, and were apparently good friends. He did not remember that there
were any others. He and the waiters happened to be in the pantry for a
few minutes; he was sure it was not longer, when they were startled by
the sound of a fall, followed by the loud bang of the outer door. On
rushing in to find out the cause of the disturbance, they found Dick
lying insensible on the floor, with a severe wound on the back of the
head, evidently inflicted by the heavy knobbed stick discovered near
him. There was no clue as to what had given rise to the quarrel. The
wounded man's certificate being on his plate, and open, as if it had
just been read, it was imagined that a sudden fit of rage and jealousy
must have led his companion to the terrible deed.

The police and the doctor were at once sent for. A thorough search was
made for the culprit, but, as no one specially remembered him, he made
good his escape. From that day no trace of him was ever discovered, and
the whole affair gradually dropped out of recollection.

Meantime, Dick was taken to the nearest hospital, where for a long time
his life was despaired of. Having found the address of his parents, the
hospi