Page:An African Millionaire.djvu/238

Rh He could do anything, it really seemed, from shoeing a mule to conducting a camp-meeting; he was a capital chemist, a very sound surgeon, a fair judge of horseflesh, a first class euchre player, and a pleasing baritone. When occasion demanded he could occupy a pulpit. He had invented a corkscrew which brought him in a small revenue; and he was now engaged in the translation of a Polish work on the 'Application of Hydrocyanic Acid to the Cure of Leprosy.' Still, we reached New York without having got any nearer our goal, as regarded Dr. Quackenboss. He came to bid us good-bye at the quay, with that sphinx-like smile still playing upon his features. Charles clutched the dispatch-box with one hand, and Mrs. Quackenboss's little palm with the other.

'Don't tell us,' he said, 'this is good-bye—for ever!' And his voice quite faltered.