Just then I ceased speaking and watched Hawkins. His ears had pricked up like a horse's. I, too, listened and heard what seemed to be a heavy automobile outdoors; at any rate, it was the characteristic chugg-chugg-chugg of a touring car, and nowadays a commonplace sound enough.
But it affected Hawkins deeply. An ecstatic smile overspread his face, and he drew in his breath with a long, happy:
“A-a-a-a-a-ah!”
“Been buying a new auto, Hawkins?” I asked, carelessly.
“Auto be hanged!” replied the inventor, energetically. “Do you imagine that an automobile is making that noise? I guess not! That's my new invention, Griggs!”
“What!” I cried. “Here? In this hotel?”
“Right here in this hotel—right under our feet,” said Hawkins, proudly. “That noise comes from the Hawkins Gasowashine!”
I think I stared open-mouthed at Hawkins for a moment or two; I know that I leaned back and shook with as violent mirth as might be permitted in so solemnly proper a resort.
“Well, does that impress you as particularly humorous?” demanded Hawkins, angrily.
“Hawkins,” I said, “why don't you start in and write nonsense verse? There's a fortune waiting for you.”