"but perhaps, having lived forty centuries, I may be old enough to advise a young man of twenty-three."
I looked up, expecting to see him smiling, but he was as sober as a judge. So I told him all about my uncle and my work, and concluded by asking him what he thought I ought to do. He seemed intensely interested, and remained silent some moments after I had finished. I waited more anxiously for his opinion than I should have liked to admit.
At length he said solemnly, "Bring your uncle to me!"
"Bring—" I repeated, in amazement, "bring my—"
"Bring your uncle to me!" he repeated firmly, and so solemnly that I never thought of resisting.
"Oh, very well," I said hastily; "but how in the world am I to do it?"
"Easily enough!" he explained; "write him a note!"
"But what shall I say?" I asked helplessly.
"You said he was interested in chemistry?" asked the strange little fellow.
"I believe he cares for nothing else," I replied.
"Very well. Now write this: 'I have made a discovery to-night such as you never dreamed of. Come at once!' That will bring him," said my guest.
Why I was so easily bullied by the manikin I cannot tell; but I wrote the note and sent it at once.
"Now," resumed my little guest, "what else can I do for you?"
"Nothing," I replied, laughing; "unless you will pay my bills for me!"
"With pleasure," he answered gravely; "let me see them."
I brought the bills, and he went over them very carefully.
"Hm—hm—very good!" he said, when he had finished his examination. "You have not been very extravagant. I 'll reduce them for you!"
