“My den!” said Hobson, with a magnificent flourish, and Scott stepped within, feeling, he afterwards said, as though he were being ushered by Mephistopheles into the infernal regions, and this impression was not lessened by the first objects which he was able to distinguish, — a pair of skulls grinning at him through the smoky atmosphere.  As his eyes became accustomed to the dim light he noted that the room was extremely small, with only one window, which opened upon the blank wall of an adjoining building, and with no furniture, save an enormous, high-top desk and two chairs.  One of the latter Hobson placed near the window for his visitor, and then busied himself for a moment at the desk in hastily concealing what to Scott looked like some paraphernalia of the black arts.  Upon the top of the desk were the two skulls which had first attracted Scott’s attention, and which he now regarded rather curiously.  Hobson, following his glance, said, by way of explanation,-

“Rather peculiar ornaments, I dare say, you consider those, Mr. Scott; but I am greatly interested in phrenology and devote much of my leisure time to its study.  It is not only amusing, you know, but it is of great assistance in reading and understanding my fellow-men, and enables me to adapt myself to my clients, so to speak.”

Having satisfactorily arranged his belongings, Hobson locked the door, and, seating himself behind his desk, appeared ready for business.

“Well, my young friend,” he began, “I rather expected you, for I flatter myself that I understand enough of human nature to know that there are very few who will pass by an opportunity of learning something for the advancement of their own interests or the betterment of their own condition in life.”

“That may be perfectly natural,” Scott replied; “but you flatter yourself altogether too much if you think that I have come here with any expectation that you can advance my interests or better my condition.”

“That remains to be seen.  Much also depends upon yourself, for I take it that a young man of your calibre is not without ambition.”

Hobson paused, regarding his visitor with sharp scrutiny, but receiving no reply, continued, “I might add, that to a young man with ambitious designs such as yours, I would probably be able to render great assistance.”

“I am not aware of any unusual ambition on my part.”

“Oh, no, nothing unusual.  You simply had no intention of remaining Hugh Mainwaring’s secretary any longer than was necessary.  That was perfectly natural, perfectly laudable, my young friend, and I admire the shrewdness and foresight with which you set about to accomplish your designs.  At the same time, I believe I am in a position to give you just the information and advice you need in order to insure your success.”

Both men had the same object in view.  Each wished to ascertain what the other knew concerning himself.  Scott, unable to determine whether Hobson had spoken at random or with an inkling of the facts, answered, coldly,-