Sinopsis

"WELL, I suppose it is about time to get ready for starting?"
The speaker was a smart, well-set-up man about forty-three years of age,
whose keen and alert expression, clear eyes and well-cut features were a
true index to the intellectuality and integrity of his character; whilst his
closely compressed lips and the deep vertical line down the centre of his
forehead betokened a dogged perseverance in carrying into effect anything
he might undertake.
John Yiewsley Claxton, for that was his name, was my very intimate friend
of at least twenty-five years' standing; and during the greater portion of
that time he had been my constant companion. We had ed through
many trials and tr...