here, commencing with the washing-machines,--

'It's a bad case, and I don't admire your experience at all, to speak
candidly; but I have a little idea of my own to work out, and you can
help me do it, perhaps. In the first place, though, I want to know
whether you intend to continue in this line of business,--eh?'

'Not I,' was my fervent reply; 'I'm satisfied to leave lecturing to
those who have a reputation, and to earn my bread and butter in a, for
me, more legitimate way. But what is it you have in view?'

'Come and see me this evening, when I am at leisure, and I'll tell you
what my enterprise is. Meantime, will you sell me your lecture? I can't
afford to pay much for it, but I'll agree to settle your hotel bill if
you'll part with it. Not that I think it's worth it, but you need to be
helped somehow right away.'

I jumped at the chance, and thanked my friend heartily. He asked if I
would please go and send the landlord to him, and I retired to perform
that errand.

I was punctual to my appointment in the evening, and listened to the
project my editorial angel had in view; a plan by which he proposed to
inflict a lesson on the negligent Tyrians, and at the same time
replenish my purse. He explained to me the part I was to perform in this
enterprise, and I found I could enter heartily into the spirit of it. We
shook hands in the best of humors, and parted that evening understanding
each other perfectly.