 It was not without its reward at the time.  I could not, indeed, displace Mr. Phillips from his well-won priority; but in the eyes of readers who thought less than nothing of _Treasure Island_, _The Black Arrow_ was supposed to mark a clear advance.  Those who read volumes and those who read story papers belong to different worlds.  The verdict on _Treasure Island_ was reversed in the other court; I wonder, will it be the same with its successor?