There was a loud cough from the man on the stand. I replaced My Magic Mirror carefully on his tray, gave him a cheesy smile, and went my way.

That's usuаllу hоw thеу start, thе young оnеs. Meaningless waffle.

Most traditional ghost stories feature rather hapless protagonists, who have nasty things happen to them.

So I departed, leaving behind a pungent smell of brimstone. Just something to remember me by.

Hippo in a skirt: this was a comic reference to one of Solomon's principal wives, the one from Moab. Childish? Yes. But in the days before printing we had limited opportunities for satire.

That's usually how they start, the young ones. Meaningless waffle.

Did Lovelace's forces find you? Did Jabor break in?" He spoke slowly through clenched teeth. "I went to get a newspaper" This is getting better and better! I shook my head regretfully. "You should leave such a dangerous assignment to people better qualified: next time ask an old granny, or a toddler-