United States or Peru ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Samuel Wackerbath and believe for a moment that he was capable of floating through an upper window; he was not in the least that kind of person. "I shall be happy to do my best," said Horace, with a calmness that surprised himself. "Could you give me some idea of the amount you are prepared to spend?"
I can not stand being under any obligation to a Jinnee who's been shut up in a beastly brass bottle ever since the days of Solomon, who probably had very good reasons for putting him there." Horace next asked himself whether he was bound in honour to disclose the facts to Mr. Wackerbath, and give him the opportunity of withdrawing from the agreement if he thought fit.
Wackerbath, at the end of the interview, "but I perceive you are up to all the tricks of the I should say, versed in the minutiæ of your profession. You would like to run down and look at the ground, eh? Well, that's only reasonable; and my wife and daughters will want to have their say in the matter no getting on without pleasing the ladies, hey? Now, let me see. To-morrow's Sunday.
Of the palace and all that is therein there remaineth no trace!" "Another surprise for poor old Wackerbath," thought Horace, "but a pleasant one this time. My dear Mr. Fakrash," he said aloud, "I really can't say how grateful I am to you. And now I hate bothering you like this, but if you could manage to look in on Professor Futvoye " "What!" cried the Jinnee, "yet another request? Already!"
"I'm rather busy at present," he said dubiously, "as you may see. I'm not sure whether " "I'll put the matter in a nutshell, sir in a nutshell. My name is Wackerbath, Samuel Wackerbath tolerably well known, if I may say so, in City circles." Horace, of course, concealed the fact that his visitor's name and fame were unfamiliar to him.
"Oh, you did?" sputtered Mr. Wackerbath. "That's what you call but go on, sir, go on!" "I got it done as quickly as possible," continued Horace, "because I understood you wished no time to be lost." "No one can accuse you of dawdling over it. What I should like to know is how the devil you managed to get it done in the time?" "I worked incessantly all day and every day," said Horace.
The count de Wackerbath, minister of the cabinet, and grand master of the household to the prince royal of Poland, was arrested, and conducted to Custrin, by the express command of his majesty.
"That's how I managed it and this is all the thanks I get for it!" "Thanks?" Mr. Wackerbath well-nigh howled. "You you insolent young charlatan; you expect thanks!" "Now look here, Mr. Wackerbath," said Horace, whose own temper was getting a little frayed. "I'm not accustomed to being treated like this, and I don't intend to submit to it.
Anyhow, we make no charge for it he presents it to you as a free gift. Why not accept it as such and make the best of it?" "Make the best of it?" stormed Mr. Wackerbath. "Stand by and see the best site in three counties defaced by a jimcrack Moorish nightmare like that! Why, they'll call it 'Wackerbath's Folly, sir. I shall be the laughing-stock of the neighbourhood.
"If I mistake not," he added, addressing the startled estate agent, who had jumped visibly, "thou art the merchant for whom my son here," and he laid a hand on Horace's shrinking shoulder, "undertook to construct a mansion?" "I am," said Mr. Wackerbath, in some mystification. "Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Ventimore, senior?" "No, no," put in Horace; "no relation.
Word Of The Day