His tale he told with a solemn face    And a tender, melancholy grace.        Improbable 'twas, no doubt,        When you came to think it out,        But the fascinated crowd        Their deep surprise avowed    And all with a single voice averred    'Twas the most amazing thing they'd heard --    All save one who spake never a word,        But sat as mum        As if deaf and dumb,    Serene, indifferent and unstirred.        Then all the others turned to him        And scrutinized him limb from limb --        Scanned him alive;        But he seemed to thrive        And tranquiler grow each minute,        As if there were nothing in it.    "What! what!" cried one, "are you not amazed    At what our friend has told?"  He raised    Soberly then his eyes and gazed        In a natural way        And proceeded to say,    As he crossed his feet on the mantel-shelf:    "O no -- not at all; I'm a liar myself."