“Great Scott!” cried Kearns. “What have you, then?”
“What brands? Why, we have both.”
“Both? How do you call them?”
“Imperial Court and Consolidated Trust.”
“Never heard of either of them,” retorted Kearns, maliciously. “However, give me either one; only hurry.”
The bartender produced a long-necked bottle of Rhine wine and a peculiar wicker-covered bottle of seltzer. The whiskey he measured out and poured into a tall glass. Then he added the seltzer.
Both the wayfarers emptied their glasses in one long, greedy draught.
“That really went down well!” remarked the Professor as he laid aside his glass.
“So well,” replied Kearns, “that I think we might venture once again. What say you, Professor?”
“I rarely—” began the Professor.