When they gave me my diploma, they wrote my father that I ought to have a year of travel to improve my health before entering upon the life work to which I am devoted.
"Of course my desire was granted, and I began the search.

I have been six months at it without success; it is like pursuing an _ignis fatuus_.

A clew would take me to Russia, whence I would fly to Persia, then to Turkey, and next to London.

In Paris I felt sure of success, but the lady I was tracking turned out to be a grandmother, and there was a lively scene in her house when I sprung my game.
"Talk of 'Japhet in search of his father!' why, he wasn't in it at all compared with me.

At last came another clew; among the letters forwarded in a bunch from home was a line in the same precious hand.