w the devil you managed to get it done in the time?"

"I worked incessantly all day and every day," said Horace. "That's how I
managed it--and this is all the thanks I get for it!"

"Thanks?" Mr. Wackerbath well-nigh howled. "You--you insolent young
charlatan; you expect thanks!"

"Now look here, Mr. Wackerbath," said Horace, whose own temper was
getting a little frayed. "I'm not accustomed to being treated like this,
and I don't intend to submit to it. Just tell me--in as moderate
language as you can command--what you object to?"

"I object to the whole damned thing, sir! I mean, I repudiate the entire
concern. It's the work of a raving lunatic--a place that no English
gentleman, sir, with any self-respect or--ah!--consideration for his
reputation and position in the county, could consent to occupy for a
single hour!"

"Oh," said Horace, feeling deathly sick, "in that case it is useless, of
course, to suggest any modifications."

"Absolutely!" said Mr. Wackerbath.

"Very well, then; there's no more to be said," replied Horace. "You will
have no difficulty in finding an architect who will be more successful
in realising your intentions. Mr. Beevor, the gentleman you met just
now," he added, with a touch of bitterness, "would probably be just your
man. Of course I retire altogether. And really, if any one is the
sufferer over this, I fancy it's myself. I can't see how you are any the
worse."

"Not any the worse?" cried Mr. Wackerbath, "when the infernal place is
built!"

"Built!" echoed Horace feebly.

"I tell you, sir, I saw it with my own eyes driving to the station this
morning; my coachman and footman saw it; my wife saw it--damn it, sir,
we _all_ saw it!"

Then Horace understood. His indefatigable Jinnee had been at work again!
Of course, for Fakrash it must have been what he would term "the easiest
of affairs"--especially after a glance at the plans (and Ventimore
remembered that the Jinnee had surprised him at work upon them, and even
requested to have them explained to him)--to dispense with contractors
and bricklayers and carpenters, and construct the entire building in the
course of a single night.

It was a generous and spirited action--but, particularly now that the
original designs had been found faulty and rejected, it placed the
unfortunate architect in a most invidious position.

"Well, sir," said Mr. Wackerbath, with elaborate irony, "I presume it
is you whom I have to thank for improvin