Скорбь сатаны / The sorrows of Satan. Уровень 4

They bowed to me once more, simultaneously, looking almost like twin brothers.

“Good-bye, Mr. Tempest,” said Mr. Bentham. “We shall serve you as we served our late client, to the best of our ability. May we ask whether you require any cash advances immediately?”

“No, thank you,” I answered, feeling grateful to my friend Rimanez.

They seemed a trifle surprised at this, but were too discreet to offer any remark. They wrote down my address at the Grand Hotel, and sent their clerk to show me to the door.

I gave this man half-a-sovereign to drink my health which he very cheerfully promised to do. Then I walked away.

In turning a corner I jostled up against a man, the very publisher who had returned me my rejected manuscript the day before.

“Hello!” he exclaimed.

“Hello!” I rejoined.

“Where are you going?” he went on. “Are you going to try and place that unlucky novel? My dear boy, believe me it will never do as it is…”

“It will do,” I said calmly, “I am going to publish it myself.

”

He started.

“Publish it yourself! Good heavens! – it will cost you – ah! – sixty or seventy, perhaps a hundred pounds.”

“I don’t care if it costs me a thousand!”

A red flush came into his face, and his eyes opened in astonishment.

“I thought… excuse me…” he stammered awkwardly; “I thought that money was important for you…”

“It was,” I answered dryly. “It isn’t now.”

Then I burst out laughing wildly.

He began looking nervously about him in all directions. I caught him by the arm.

“Look here, man,” I said, trying to conquer my almost hysterical mirth. “I’m not mad – don’t you think it. I’m only a millionaire!”

And I began laughing again; the situation seemed to me so sublimely ridiculous. But the publisher did not see it at all. I made a further effort to control myself and succeeded.

“I assure you on my word of honour I’m not joking, it’s a fact. Last night I wanted a dinner, and you, like a good fellow, offered to give me one.

Today I possess five millions of money! Don’t stare so! And as I have told you, I shall publish my book myself at my own expense, and it will succeed! I’ve more than enough in my wallet to pay for its publication now!”

He fell back stupefied and confused.

“God bless my soul!” he muttered feebly. “It’s like a dream! I was never more astonished in my life!”

“Nor I!” I said.