"Well, Dick, I've finished my novel."
My real name, by the way, is Francis Dickson, though many people suppose it to be Richard from the fellows calling me Dick. Rather an annoying mistake, for I was named after my uncle the General, and not being distinguished myself, I am unwilling to lose any reflected glory. However, I was not so egotistical as to be thinking of that when John told me about his novel.
"Glad to hear it," said I, as though I had been in the secret all along. "What is it about?"
"Oh, all kinds of things."
"What is it called?"
"Spoils."
"Good title! And with your name on the title-page it will go off like hot cakes."
"Ah! But that is just the point. My name is not to be on the title-page."
"Not on the title-page? What is the reason of that?"
"Well, in order to start fair without any preconceived ideas on the part of the
