ought to be known throughout the world.
But then, how was it that they were unknown to me, a pupil of Chincholle, our master in everything! I was quite at a loss because I had never heard of the firm of Strong, Bulbul & Co.
I was about to interrogate Ephrinell on this point, when he said to me: "Have you ever been in the United States, Mr.Bombarnac ?" "No, Monsieur Ephrinell." "You will come to our country some day ?" "Perhaps." "Then you will not forget to explore the establishment of Strong, Bulbul & Co. ?" "Explore it ?" "That is the proper word." "Good! I shall not fail to do so." "You will see one of the most remarkable industrial establishments of the New Continent." "I have no doubt of it; but how am I to know it ?" "Wait a bit, Mr.Bombarnac.Imagine a colossal workshop, immense buildings for the mounting and adjusting of the pieces, a steam engine of fifteen hundred horse-power, ventilators making six hundred revolutions a minute, boilers consuming a hundred tons of coals a day, a chimney stack four hundred and fifty feet high, vast outhouses for the storage of our goods, which we send to the five parts of the world, a general manager, two sub-managers, four secretaries, eight under-secretaries, a staff of five hundred clerks and nine hundred workmen, a whole regiment of travelers like your servant, working in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Australasia, in short, a turnover exceeding annually one hundred million dollars! And all that, Mr.
Bombarnac, for making millions of--yes, I said millions--" At this moment the train commenced to slow under the action of its automatic brakes, and he stopped.
"Elisabethpol! Elisabethpol!" shout the guard and the porters on the station.
Our conversation is interrupted.

I lower the window on my side, and open the door, being desirous of stretching my legs.
Ephrinell did not get out.
Here was I striding along the platform of a very poorly lighted station.

A dozen travelers had already left the train.

Five or six Georgians were crowding on the steps of the compartments.

Ten minutes at Elisabethpol; the time-table allowed us no more.
As soon as the bell begins to ring I return to our carriage, and when I have shut the door I notice that my place is taken.