The new telescope was still there, but no one knew how it had come;
and the tent and Turkey carpet were still stretched out on the hill.
The servants boasted of their master's wealth; but no one seemed to
know by what means he had become possessed of these newly acquired
luxuries. He was gratified; and it gave him no concern to be
ignorant how they had come to him. The black coursers which had
been mounted on that day were in the stables of the young gentlemen
of the party, who admired them as the munificent present of Mr.
John.

Such was the information I gained from Bendel's detailed account;
but, in spite of this unsatisfactory result, his zeal and prudence
deserved and received my commendation. In a gloomy mood, I made him
a sign to withdraw.

"I have, sir," he continued, "laid before you all the information in
my power relative to the subject of the most importance to you. I
have now a message to deliver which I received early this morning
from a person at the gate, as I was proceeding to execute the
commission in which I have so unfortunately failed. The man's words
were precisely these: 'Tell your master, Peter Schlemihl, he will
not see me here again. I am going to cross the sea; a favourable
wind now calls all the passengers on board; but, in a year and a day
I shall have the honour of paying him a visit; when, in all
probability, I shall have a proposal to make to him of a very
agreeable nature. Commend me to him most respectfully, with many
thanks.' I inquired his name; but he said you would remember him."

"What sort of person was he?" cried I, in great emotion; and Bendel
described the man in the grey coat feature by feature, word for