"Well," said Horace, "of course, you can get into the bottle alone--that's simple enough. But the difficulty I see is this: Are you quite sure you can put the cap on yourself--from the _inside_, you know?" If he can, he thought, "I'm done for!" "That," began the Jinnee, with his usual confidence "will be the easiest of--nay," he corrected himself, "there be things that not even the Jinn themselves can accomplish, and one of them is to seal a vessel while remaining in it. I am indebted to thee for reminding me thereof." "Not at all," said Ventimore. "I shall be delighted to come and seal you up comfortably myself." "Again thou speakest folly," exclaimed the Jinnee. "How canst thou seal me up after I have dashed thee into a thousand pieces?" "That," said Horace, with all the urbanity he could command, "is precisely the difficulty I was trying to convey." "There will be no difficulty, for as soon as I am in the bottle I shall summon certain inferior Efreets, and they will replace the seal." "When you are once in the bottle," said Horace, at a venture, "you probably won't be in a position to summon anybody." "_Before_ I get into the bottle, then!" said the Jinnee, impatiently. "Thou dost but juggle with words!" "But about those Efreets," persisted Horace. "You know what Efreets _are_! How can you be sure that, when they've got you in the bottle, they won't hand you over to the Lord Mayor? I shouldn't trust them myself--but, of course, you know best!" "Whom shall I trust, then?" said Fakrash, frowning. "I'm sure I don't know. It's rather a pity you're so determined to destroy me, because, as it happens, I'm just the one person living who could be depended on to seal you up and keep your secret. However, that's your affair. After all, why should I care what becomes of you? I shan't be there!" "Even at this hour," said the Jinnee, undecidedly, "I might find it in my heart to spare thee, were I but sure that thou wouldst be faithful unto me!" "I should have thought I was more to be trusted than one of your beastly Efreets!" said Horace, with well-assumed indifference. "But never mind, I don't know that I care, after all. I've nothing particular to live for now. You've ruined me pretty thoroughly, and you may as well finish your work. I've a good mind to jump over, and save you the trouble. Perhaps, when you see me bouncing down that dome, you'll be sorry!" "Refrain from rashness!" said the Jinnee, hastily, without suspecting that Ventimore had no serious intention of carrying out his threat. "If thou wilt do as thou art bidden, I will not only pardon thee, but grant thee all that thou desirest." "Take me back to Vincent Square first," said Horace. "This is not the place to discuss business." "Thou sayest rightly," replied the Jinnee; "hold fast to my sleeve, and I will transport thee to thine abode."