Fiction > Book editions > New York, 1885 - Dynamiter

THE SUPERFLUOUS MANSION. 305
seven minutes too early ! The dynamite sur-
passed my hopes ; but the clockwork, fickle
clockwork, has once more betrayed me. Alas,
can there be no success unmixed with failure ?
and must even this red-letter-day be checkered
by a shadow ? ' '
" Incomparable ass ! " said Somerset, " what
have you done ? Blown uj) the house of an un-
offending old lady, and the whole property of
the only person who is fool enough to befriend
you!"
"You do not understand these matters," re-
plied Zero, with an air of great dignity. ' ' This
will shake England to the heart. Gladstone the
truculent old man, will quail before the point-
ing finger of revenge. And now that my dyna-
mite is proved effective "
"Heavens, you remind me!" ejaculated
Somerset. " That brick in your bag must be
instantly disposed of. But how % If we could
throw it in the river "
"A torpedo," cried Zero, brightening, "a
torpedo in the Thames ! Superb, dear fellow !
I recognize in you the marks of an accomplished
anarch."
" True ! " returned Somerset. " It can not so
be done ; and there is no help but you must
carry it away with you. Come on, then, and
let me at once consign you to a train."
"Nay, nay, dear boy," protested Zero.