"I see
you don't believe me," the Prophet continued, flushing pink but still
holding his ground, and indeed trying to turn Mr. Sagittarius's flank by
a strategic movement of almost military precision. "I see that plainly,
but--" Mr. Sagittarius ducked to the left, endeavouring to cover the
manoeuvre by an almost simultaneous and extremely passionate feint
towards the Prophet's centre, which was immediately withdrawn in good
order--"but your remark--arkable name, Saag--itt-ittarius, suggested to
me that you are rea-eally the man I seek."
He had now got Mr. Sagittarius into a very awkward bit of country
between the letter P. in the rack, under which reposed Miss Partridge's
correspondence, and the newspaper bureau, with the counter immediately
on his rear, and taking advantage of this circumstance, he continued
rapidly:
"May I ask whether you recently received a letter--one
moment!--envelope--crest--I only want to know if you have
received--only--an elephant rampant--swarm of--of bees--"
"I have never received a rampant elephant and a swarm of bees," cried
Mr. Sagittarius with every symptom of unbridled terror. "Help, Frederick
Smith!"
"Right you are, Malkiel the Second!" cried the young librarian, hastily
pocketing the half sovereign and making a feverish lunge at nothing in
particular over the counter.
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