# Peter Q. Hornswoggle — Short Science Fiction character guide

> Peter Q. Hornswoggle in Short Science Fiction by Isaac Asimov.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Hornswoggle, Pete

**First appearance:** 0000-the-magnificent-possession

## Snapshot

A portly ex-Congressman who spins florid speeches for beer money, then spots a newspaper item and hurries off to City Hall with sudden purpose.

## Who they are

Hornswoggle holds court in a bar, reciting imaginary House triumphs to poorly dressed listeners who mostly humor him. Broke enough to borrow a quarter, he is nonetheless grandly dignified, and the newspaper he snatches up gives him an idea worth more than any speech. His willingness to act on that idea, however unorthodox, pulls him straight into the ammonium affair.

## In the story

### [The Magnificent Possession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_se/chapters/the-magnificent-possession)

Ex-Congressman who spots the newspaper article and sees an opportunity for himself.

### [A Night of Trouble](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_se/chapters/a-night-of-trouble)

Former Congressman who first tries to ingratiate himself, then returns as a burglar.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_se/characters/peter_hornswoggle
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_se/characters