He of the nose nodded eagerly at that, and wrote, "Also you make to be
washed my shirt?"

I agreed; and the bargain was closed. I got him into the house, and gave
him a bath, a clean shirt, and complete instructions how to act.

The gravity with which he entered upon the situation was astonishing. He
didn't seem to taste the slightest flavor of a joke in it all. It was a
simple matter of business; he saw in it only money and Fatherland.

Meanwhile I explained my intentions to Dolly, saying in great glee: "His
deafness is his defence: the old three-decker may bang away at him; he
is IRON-CLAD!" And that suggested the name we have called him by ever
since.

When he was ready for action, I took him in tow, and ran him in to draw
the Popworth's fire--in other words, introduced him to my uncle in the
library. The meeting of my tall, lank relative and the big-nosed little
Jew was a spectacle to cure a hypochondriac! "Mr. Jacob
Menzel--gentleman from Germany--travelling in this country," I yelled in
the old fellow's ear. He of the diminutive legs and stupendous nose
bowed with perfect decorum, and seated himself, stiff and erect, in the
big chair I placed for him. The avuncular countenance lighted up: here
were fresh woods and pastures new to that ancient shepherd. As for
myself, I was wellnigh strangled by a cough which just then seized me,
and obliged to retreat,--for I never was much of an actor, and the
comedy of that first interview was overpowering.

As I passed the dining-room door, Dolly, who was behind it, gave my arm
a fearful pinch, that answered, I supposed, in the place of a scream, as