"For how much?"
"Anything you please," he replied, with a look of utter indifference.
"But you must say," I persisted.
"Really, I don't care, Gurt," he answered, striking a match to relight his cigar. "My bankers will pay anything you put on it, I fancy."
"Have you as much as a thousand pounds with these people?"
He laughed outright.
"I should hope so!" he shouted; "but if that is all you want, I have probably as much about me, for you must remember that I am a business man now, and am conducting costly experiments in connection with the air ship, which I intend shall be the most perfect thing on earth!"
"I suppose then it will cost you more than the twenty thousand dollars you thought?"
"Well, rather! If I get off with as many pounds I shall be lucky!"
I gasped but said nothing.