a little of your own law in the transaction. I don't say but that I did a good deal to annoy you during those thirteen years, as a return for the benefit of your money. How did you like all the good I did by means of your money? I gave the purse a good airing, didn't I? Did you succeed in destroying much of the good? You know for Whose sake it was that I gave your money away. What do you think of the business?"
The Black Man burst out laughing, great as was his torment.
"Oh, confound you, you fool," said he. "I liked the business splendidly. I spoil it! By the deer, it was not necessary for me to take a particle of trouble about it. I could not, if I did my best a thousand times, spoil the good you did more thoroughly than you spoilt it yourself, you senseless man! You spoilt it yourself, and nobody could have spoilt it better. 'Good' you call your work! Ach, you idiot, it wasn't good you were doing most of the time, but the very cream of mischief. It is my special work you were doing, and a good hand you were at it, and I really assure you that I was most thankful to you. You did my work far better than I could have done it myself. You did it more nicely and tidily and thoroughly than I could have done it at my best. I could not, at my very best, have spoilt so much good and accomplished so much mischief as you have by means of my money. I have often laid out money to advantage, and much is the damage and misfortune and quarrelling and bloodshed that came of it, but I rather think the bit of money I have given you is about the most profitable I have ever expended."
