"Perfectly, now," said Horace. "But you made a remark just now which I didn't follow—would you mind repeating it?"
"I said: 'Repentance, O Prophet of God! I will not return to the like conduct ever.'"
"Ah," said Horace. "I dare say you were rather startled. So was I when I opened that bottle."
"Tell me—was it indeed thy hand that removed the seal, O young man of kindness and good works?"
"I certainly did open it," said Ventimore, "though I don't know where the kindness comes in—for I've no notion what was inside the thing."
"I was inside it," said the stranger, calmly.