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DIAMONDS TO SIT ON

Having said this, Bender seized the chair and held it over his head. ‘ I shall remove the furniture,’ said Bender with great determination. ‘ You can’t ! You can’t! ’ ‘ What do you mean I can’t ? You see that I can,’ retorted Bender as he went out into the corridor carrying the chair. Absalom kissed his queen’s hand and ran out after Bender, who was calmly going down the stairs. ‘ But you’ve absolutely no right to do this. Accord­ ing to the law the furniture can stay here for a fortnight, and it has only been under seal for three days. Perhaps I shall pay. How do you know ? ’ Iznurenkov was buzzing round Bender like a fly, and followed him to the corner of the street. Here he* suddenly noticed some sparrows fighting in the gutter, thought of a joke, ran home to write it down, and only remembered the chair again as he came into his flat and found the girl standing in the middle of the room. Meanwhile Bender took a cab and brought the chair to Hippolyte. ‘ You see,’ he said, ‘ that’s the way to get hold of a chair. It has cost me absolutely nothing ’ Another chair was added to the furniture in Ivanopulo s room, but after opening it up Hippolyte was more depressed than ever. ‘ Our chances are growing,’ said Bender, ' but there is still no money. TeU me, was your late mother-inlaw fond of practical jokes ? ’ ‘ Why ? ’ said Hippolyte. ‘ What do you mean ? ’ Perhaps there are no diamonds.’ Hippolyte was disgusted. ‘ Well, if that’s how you feel,’ said Bender, ‘ there’s still a hope. Perhaps we’ll only need to have one more chair m here.’ TT- Your name was in the paper this morning,’ said Hippolyte quietly.