They were old friends, college-mates, and of the same age.

Dodge had gone into the law- school after his academic course, and Thorpe into the medical college.
Their ways did not part, however.

Both were looked upon as heirs to huge fortunes, and to both was offered the rather doubtful popularity that usually is granted to affluence.

Thorpe accepted his share with the caution of the wise man, while Dodge, not a whit less capable, took his as a philanderer.

He now had an office in a big down-town building, but he never went near it except when his partner took it into his head to go away for a month's vacation at the slack season of the year.