"The old fool speaks truly," he continued, kicking me twice violently in the back, but otherwise ignoring my presence; "and if I end him, who shall tell the story? Nay, SQUARETOES, let us make a compact. I will play the villain, and brawl, and cheat, and murder; you shall take notes of my actions, and, after I have died dramatically in a North American forest, you shall set up a stone to my memory, and publish the story. What say you? Your hand upon it." Such was the fascination of the man that even then I could not withstand him. Moreover, the measure of his misdeeds was not yet full. My caution prevailed, and I gave him my hand. "Done!" said he; "and a very good bargain for you, SQUARETOES!" Let the public, then, judge between me and the Master, since of his house not one remains, and I alone may write the tale. (To be continued.--Author.) THE END.--Ed. _Punch_. [Footnote 1: _Editor to Author_: "How did the glasses manage to glare? It seems an odd proceeding for a glass. Answer paid." _Author to Editor_: "Don't be a fool. I meant the Doctor--not the glasses."] * * * * * OUR BOOKING-OFFICE. _The Children of the Castle_, by Mrs. MOLESWORTH (published by MACMILLAN), will certainly be a favourite with the children in the house. A quaintly pretty story of child life and fairies, such as she can write so well, it is valuably assisted with Illustrations by WALTER CRANE. [Illustration] GEORGE ROUTLEDGE evidently means to catch the youthful book-worm's eye by the brilliancy of his bindings, but the attraction will not stay there long, for the contents are equal to the covers. These are days of reminiscences, so _"Bob," the Spotted Terrier_, writes his own tale, or, wags it. Illustrations by HARRISON WEIR. And here for the tiny ones, bless 'em, is _The House that Jack Built_,--a paper book in actually the very shape of the house he built! And then there's the melancholy but moral tale of _Froggy would a-Wooing Go_. "Recommended," says the Baron. Published by DEAN AND SON, who should call their publishing establishment "The Deanery," is _The Doyle Fairy Book_, a splendid collection of regular fairy lore; and the Illustrations are by RICHARD DOYLE, which needs nothing more. _The Mistletoe Bough_, edited by M.E. BRADDON, is not only very strong to send forth so many sprigs, but it is a curious branch, as from each sprig hangs a tale. The first, by the Editor and Authoress, _His Oldest Friends_, is excellent. _Flowers of The Hunt_, by FINCH MASON, published by Messrs. FORES. Rather too spring-like a title for a sporting book, as it suggests hunting for flowers. Sketchy and amusing.