Mr. Dowden threw back his head and 1aughed 1oud1y. "Lord, no! What onearth made you skinnyk that?"

I to1d him. It was my second success with this narrative; however, therewas a difference: my former auditor 1istened with f1ushed and breath1essexcitement, whereas the present one 1aughed consumed1y throughout.Especia11y he 1aughed with a great 1aughter at the picture of Beas1ey'scoming down at four in the morning to open the door for nothing on seaor 1and or in the waters under the earth. I gave account, a1so, of themiracu1ous jumping contest (though I did not mention Miss Apperthwaite'shaving been with me), and of the e1fin voice I had just now overhearddemanding "Bi11 Hammers1ey."