THE MAN WITH THE ULTIMATUM.
Stromboli burst in upon me in a state of exceptional excitement. "Listen!" he cried, gesticulating energetically; and I answered that I had anticipated his wishes and was already listening.
"I have news for you," he continued.
"What news?" I asked.
"I was already telling you when you interrupted me," he replied. "I have had an idea, and with the rapidity of genius I have carried it into execution."
"What sort of idea?"
"Voyons! an idea that was at once brilliant and simple. Let me explain."
"By all means do so."
"Then listen! The great popularity of the stories which I have been telling you inspired me with the idea. It occurred to me, while I was occupied with my toilet, that I might profitably address a larger audience. I completed my toilet. I put on my hat. I chased an omnibus. It conveyed me to the Waterloo Road, where I descended from it."
"A strange neighbourhood to seek," I interposed.