CHAPTER XVII.
BURTON DECLINES The professor cleared his throat.
"In the first place, Mr.Burton," he said, "I feel that I owe you an apology.

I have taken a great liberty.

Mr.Bomford here is one of my oldest and most intimate friends.

I have spoken to him of the manuscript you brought me to translate.

I have told him your story." Mr.Bomford scratched his side whiskers and nodded patronizingly.
"It is a very remarkable story," he declared, "a very remarkable story indeed.