90 BY ORDER OF THE CZAR.
not forgotten the difference between truth and its opposite, between flattery and criticism, and between sincerity and humbug ; and, moreover, I believe I am still capable of an honest friendship."
" I would like to hear any man say to the contrary," exclaimed Philip, shaking his fist at an imaginary foe.
" Would you ? Talk to some of my friends on the sub- ject then. They will give you satisfaction."
" If we lived in another country or age, and they libelled you, Dick, they would have to give me satisfaction."
" Ah, we live in a far better age, Philip, and the pen is not only mightier than the sword, but it is keener than its sharpest edge. And think of the stabs it can give in the dark ; think of the quiet secret revenges it has in its power. When a man insults you or your friend it is not necessary to call him out ; besides, that is a troublesome business and dangerous to oneself also. No, you simply go down to your newspaper your Evening Critic say and you pink him there ; and next day you can rub in a bit of salt, and later still you can reopen the wound and make the man's life a misery to him."
" You are a woful cynic, Dick ; and when I note that side of your character how can you blame me if I am apt to wonder whether you are only amusing yourself at my expense when you tell me I am a genius and all that kind of thing?"
" What you are saying now is the cynicism of the heart ; my cynicism is the cynicism of the head. And so you doubt me, do you ? "
" No, Dick, I only doubt myself. When I doubt myself most I ask you questions. You have not told me what you think of my Siberian sketch for the medal."
When the Royal Academicians gave " Tragedy " as the subject for the gold medal and traveling studentship, the road to Siberia leaped into the mind of Philip Forsyth, a
