This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 edition. Excerpt: ...are a scholar," I said, with a feeble attempt at sarcasm, " I know a good many things," he retorted. " But the chief point is, what will you. give me for the machine? " " Ten pounds," I said, thinking he would be cheaply got rid of at the price; for I was beginning to loathe his cunning eyes and air of superiority. Even if the apparatus was a mere fraud, it would be something to get him out of the room. " Ten pounds! " he cried. " I ask a thousand, and I will not take a penny less." " You must be mad," I cried. " How am I to raise a thousand pounds? " " Get the Newdegate, and your father will think a thousand pounds a trifle," he said, with a horrible leer. " On the other hand, if he knew how the Eton prize-poem was got " " I won't pay a thousand," I cried. " You might as well ask a million." " Then," he said, edging up closer, with horrid familiarity, " will you give me fifty pounds every time I procure you a poem? " "That is better," I answered. "But it happens that I only want one." " You will want others before long. The Laureate-ship demands a few every now and then." " I don't want to be Laureate," I said sullenly. " You'll be Laureate, whether you wish to be or not," he observed; and somehow I knew he was speaking the truth. " I will give you a guarantee of good faith," he went on. " I will leave you the machine, and teach you how to work it, on condition you promise to send me fifty pounds for every poem you produce by its means. Is this a bargain? If you keep to it, 1 will stay away; if you don't, 7 will come again." The grin with which he spoke these last words was horrible to behold. Anything to get rid of him. I promised. " A little formality," he said, producing a document. " Sign here." I signed helplessly; and he removed...