"You called me, sir," said Ace.
"Did I—what for? Do you know?"
"No, sir," said Ace.
"Excuse me," said Billy, "but I think it was to ask him if you were the Alchemist."
"That can't have been it, because I am the Alchemist. No doubt about that, is there, Ace?"
"No, sir," said Ace.
"Then don't interrupt me again with your foolish questions, Ace; you know it bothers me when I'm making up a sample eruption."
Ace bowed gravely, as if he were used to such things, and ran back to his work.
The Alchemist.