can buy Inquisition 4 1/4's for 89 it would be extremely
difficult to raise the money for such a speculative project--oh,
extremely difficult. And then you must consider the present
depression--tell me now, Colombo", said King Ferdinand, "how long
do you think this depression will last, for I seek, above all
things, a return to healthy normalcy."

"Well, truly", replied Colombo, "that would be most difficult to
say. I note that on Rodigruez Babsyn's last chart--"

"I wish this Babsyn and his charts were in hell", said King
Ferdinand, "for it was he who advised me to sell Queen Isabel's
silver holdings. But it occurs to me, Colombo, that in connection
with this land-of-gold scheme of yours, you mentioned something
about sailing to the westward. Now Colombo, that would be a
distinct disadvantage when it came to marketing the bonds, for as
you must already know, one cannot sail to the west without
encountering fierce and enormous monsters who swallow, I am told,
whole ships at a gulp."

"Now as to that", said Colombo, somewhat embarrassed at the turn
of the conversation for WEST had merely happened to better suit
the rhymes of his poem, "you may be right, and I should not go so
far as to say you are wrong, but still at the same time", said
Colombo, "is there any gentleman in the audience who can lend me
an egg and a silk hat?"

And when an unmentionable egg and a doubtful silk hat had been
produced in a manner which it is not convenient to mention
Colombo rolled up both his sleeves and spoke the magic speech as