A bargain of a lifetime 'e" seven years off the end of his life in exchange for a fortune now! By day, Mr Fast was a solicitor'e(tm)s clerk, drawing up strangle-tight agreements and contracts. By night he repaired to his rooms to spy upon his neighbours (for he had no friends) and to dream of being richer than other men. But when old Mr FIshbane offers him what he most desires in return for seven years off the end of his life, he could never imagine the little lost spectre that will come to haunt him . Leon Garfield was the acclaimed author of more than thirty novels for children and adults. He received many accolades during his career, including the inaugural Guardian Children'e(tm)s Fiction Prize, the Carnegie Medal and the Whitbread literary award.