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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/17843-h.zip b/17843-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ce71ef4 --- /dev/null +++ b/17843-h.zip diff --git a/17843-h/17843-h.htm b/17843-h/17843-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0c460ff --- /dev/null +++ b/17843-h/17843-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5535 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Mysterious Shin Shira, by G.E. Farrow. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + + .pagenum {position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .indexpage { text-align:right; + position: absolute; + left: 82%; + } /* page numbers in contents list */ + .indexlist{ margin-left: 0%; + margin-right: 14%; + }/*block holding the contents list */ + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .break {font-size: larger; + text-align: center; + letter-spacing: 0.9em; + } + + .figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + } + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Mysterious Shin Shira, by George Edward Farrow + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Mysterious Shin Shira + +Author: George Edward Farrow + +Illustrator: W.G. Easton + +Release Date: February 24, 2006 [EBook #17843] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MYSTERIOUS SHIN SHIRA *** + + + + +Produced by Malcolm Farmer and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>THE MYSTERIOUS SHIN SHIRA</h1> +<h4>by</h4> +<h2>G. E. Farrow</h2> + +<hr /> + +<h4><i>Frontispiece:</i></h4> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="frontis" id="frontis"></a><img src="./images/frontis.jpg" width="600" height="835" +alt="Illustration: A short distance beyond lay a terrible dragon." +title="A short distance beyond lay a terrible dragon" /> +<br /> +A short distance beyond lay a terrible dragon <br /> +[<i>See <a href="#Page_28">page 28</a>.</i>]</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="./images/title.jpg" width="600" height="948" +alt="Illustration: Title Page." +title="Title Page." /></div> + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="THE_MYSTERIOUS_SHIN_SHIRA" id="THE_MYSTERIOUS_SHIN_SHIRA"></a>THE MYSTERIOUS SHIN SHIRA</h2> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>G.E. FARROW</h2> + + +<h5>AUTHOR OF</h5> + +<h5>The WALLYPUG of WHY</h5> + + +<h4><i>ILLUSTRATED BY</i> <i>W.G. EASTON</i></h4> + + +<h5>LONDON</h5> + +<h5>HENRY FROWDE</h5> + +<h5>HODDER & STOUGHTON</h5> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h2> + +<div class="indexlist"> +<span class="indexpage">PAGE</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mystery No. I</span><br /> +SHIN SHIRA APPEARS <span class="indexpage"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mystery No. II</span><br /> +SHIN SHIRA AND THE DRAGON <span class="indexpage"><a href="#Page_23">23</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mystery No. III</span><br /> +THE MAGIC CARPET <span class="indexpage"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mystery No. IV</span><br /> +SHIN SHIRA AND THE DUCHESS <span class="indexpage"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mystery No. V</span><br /> +SHIN SHIRA AND THE LAME DUCK <span class="indexpage"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mystery No. VI</span><br /> +SHIN SHIRA AND THE DIAMOND <span class="indexpage"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mystery No. VII</span><br /> +SHIN SHIRA AND THE ROC <span class="indexpage"><a href="#Page_98">98</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mystery No. VIII</span><br /> +SHIN SHIRA AND THE MAD BULL <span class="indexpage"><a href="#Page_114">114</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mystery No. IX</span><br /> +SHIN SHIRA AND THE QUEEN OF HEARTS <span class="indexpage"><a href="#Page_130">130</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mystery No. X and Last</span><br /> +SHIN SHIRA DISAPPEARS <span class="indexpage"><a href="#Page_146">146</a></span><br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="LIST_OF_COLOURED_ILLUSTRATIONS" id="LIST_OF_COLOURED_ILLUSTRATIONS"></a>LIST OF COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + +<div class="indexlist"> + <span class="indexpage"><i>To face page</i></span><br /> +<br /> +"A SHORT DISTANCE BEYOND LAY A TERRIBLE DRAGON"<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">(<i>See page 28</i>)</span> <span class="indexpage"><i><a href="#frontis">Frontispiece</a></i></span><br /> +<br /> +"THE EXECUTIONER IN HIS AGITATION DROPPED HIS AXE" <span class="indexpage"><a href="#Page_20a">20</a></span><br /> +<br /> +"WE FLOATED AWAY OVER THE ROOFS OF THE HOUSES" <span class="indexpage"><a href="#Page_38a">38</a></span><br /> +<br /> +"SHIN SHIRA PLACED THEM IN THE CRYSTAL BOWL" <span class="indexpage"><a href="#Page_58a">58</a></span><br /> +<br /> +"HIS PINIONS WERE STRONG AND MIGHTY" <span class="indexpage"><a href="#Page_108a">108</a></span><br /> +<br /> +"THIS WAS CAREFULLY SET BEFORE THE KING" <span class="indexpage"><a href="#Page_138a">138</a></span><br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='pagenum'>[Pg 9]<a name="Page_9" id="Page_9"></a></div> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="./images/illus-009.png" width="600" height="257" +alt="My eyes lighted upon a pair of bright yellow shoes" +title="My eyes lighted upon a pair of bright yellow shoes" /></div> + +<h2><a name="MYSTERY_NO_I" id="MYSTERY_NO_I"></a>MYSTERY NO. I</h2> + +<h3>SHIN SHIRA APPEARS</h3> + + +<p>It was very remarkable how I first came to +make his acquaintance at all. Shin Shira I mean. +I had been sitting at my desk, writing, for quite +a long time, when suddenly I heard, as I thought, +a noise in another part of the room. I turned +my head hastily and looked towards the door, +but it was fast closed and there was apparently +nobody in the room but myself.</p> + +<p>"Strange!" I murmured, looking about to +try and discover what had caused the sound, and +then my eyes lighted, to my great surprise, upon +a pair of bright yellow morocco shoes with very +long, pointed toes, standing on the floor in front +of a favourite little squat chair of mine which I +call "the Toad."</p> + +<p>I gazed at the yellow shoes in amazement, for +they certainly did not belong to me, and they had +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 10]<a name="Page_10" id="Page_10"></a></span>decidedly not been there a short time before, for +I had been sitting in the chair myself.</p> + +<p>I had just got up to examine them, when, to +my utter astonishment, I saw a pair of yellow +stockings appearing above them; an instant +later, a little yellow body; and finally, the quaintest +little head that I have ever seen, surmounted +by a yellow turban, in the front of which a large +jewel sparkled and shone.</p> + +<p>It was not the turban, however, but the face +beneath it which claimed my greatest attention, +for the eyes were nearly starting out of the head +with fright, and the expression was one of the +greatest anxiety.</p> + +<p>It gave way, however, to reassurance and content +directly the little man had given a hurried +glance round the room, and he sank comfortably +down into "the Toad" with a sigh of relief.</p> + +<p>"Phew!" he exclaimed, drawing out a little +yellow fan from his sleeve and fanning himself +vigorously, "that <i>was</i> a narrow squeak! I +really don't think that I've been in such a tight +corner before for two hundred years at least." +And he tucked his fan away again and beamed +upon me complacently.</p> + +<p>I was so astounded at the sudden appearance +of this remarkable little personage that for the +moment I quite lost the use of my tongue; and +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 11]<a name="Page_11" id="Page_11"></a></span>in the meantime my little visitor was glancing +about the room with piercing eyes that seemed +to take in everything.</p> + +<p>"H'm!—writer, I suppose?" he said, nodding +his head towards my desk, which was as usual +littered with papers. "What line? You don't +look very clever," and he glanced at me critically +from under his bushy eyebrows.</p> + +<p>"I only write books for children," I answered, +"and one doesn't have to be very clever to do +that."</p> + +<p>"Oh, children!" said the little Yellow Dwarf—as +I had begun to call him in my own mind. +"No, you don't have to be <i>clever</i>, but you have +to be—er—by the way, do you write fairy +stories?" he interrupted himself to ask.</p> + +<p>"Sometimes," I answered.</p> + +<p>"Ah! then I can put you up to a thing or +two. I'm partly a fairy myself.</p> + +<p>"You see, it's this way," he went on hastily, +seeing, I suppose, that I looked somewhat surprised +at this unexpected piece of information. +"Some hundreds of years ago—oh! ever so many—long +before the present Japanese Empire was +founded, in fact, there was a man named Shin +Shira Scaramanga Manousa Yama Hawa——"</p> + +<p>"Good gracious!" I exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Don't interrupt," said the little Yellow +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 12]<a name="Page_12" id="Page_12"></a></span>Dwarf, "it's rude, and besides, you make me +forget—I can't even think now what the rest of +the gentleman's name was—but anyhow, he was +an ancestor of mine, and that much of his name +belongs to me."</p> + +<p>"How much?" I inquired.</p> + +<p>"Shin Shira Scaramanga Manousa Yama +Hawa," repeated the Yellow Dwarf; "but you +needn't say it all," he added hastily, seeing, I +suppose, that I looked rather distressed, "Shin +Shira will do; in fact, that's what I am always +called. Well, to continue. This ancestor of +mine, part of whose name I bear, did something +or other to offend his great-grandmother, who was +a very influential sort of a fairy—I <i>could</i> tell you +the whole story, but it's a very long one and I'll +have to tell you that another time—and she was +so angry with him that she condemned him to +appear or disappear whenever she liked and at +whatever time or place that she chose, for ever."</p> + +<p>"For ever?" I inquired incredulously.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" asked Shin Shira. "Fairies, you +know, are immortal, and my ancestor had fairy +blood in his veins. Well, to make a long story +short, the spell, or whatever you choose to call it, +which his great-grandmother cast over him, +didn't work in him, nor in his son, nor even in his +grandson; but several hundreds of years afterwards<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 13]<a name="Page_13" id="Page_13"></a></span> +<i>I</i> was born, and then it suddenly took +effect, and I have always been afflicted with the +exceedingly uncomfortable misfortune of having +to appear or disappear whenever the old lady +likes, and in whatever place she chooses.</p> + +<p>"It's terribly awkward at times, for one +minute I may be in China taking tea with a +Mandarin of the Blue Button, and have to disappear +suddenly, turning up a minute later in +a first-class carriage on the Underground Railway, +greatly to the surprise and indignation of the +passengers, especially if it happens to be overcrowded +without me, as it very often is.</p> + +<p>"Not but what it has its advantages too," he +added thoughtfully, "and this very power of +being able to disappear suddenly has just got +me out of a most serious dilemma."</p> + +<p>"Won't you tell me about it?" I inquired +with considerable curiosity, for I was beginning +to be very interested in this singular little person's +account of himself.</p> + +<p>"With pleasure," said Shin Shira; and settling +himself more comfortably in "the Toad," resting +his elbows on the arms of the chair, and placing +the tips of his fingers together, he told me the +following story.</p> + +<p>"The very last place in which I appeared +before turning up here, was in the grounds of +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 13]<a name="Page_14" id="Page_14"></a></span>the Palace belonging to the Grand Panjandrum—"</p> + +<p>"Where is that situated, if you please?" I +ventured to inquire.</p> + +<p>Shin Shira gave me a quick glance.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say that you actually don't +even know where the land of the Grand Panjandrum +is?" he asked. "H'm! well," he +continued as I shook my head, "I remarked a +short time ago that you didn't <i>look</i> very clever, +but really, I couldn't have believed that you were +so ignorant as all that. You'd better look it +up in your atlas when I am gone, I can't bother +to explain where it is now—but to resume my +story. I appeared there, as I said, and in the +middle of the kitchen garden all amongst the +cabbages and beans.</p> + +<p>"I could at first see nobody about, but at last +I heard somebody singing, and presently came +upon a man carrying a basket in which were some +cabbages that he had evidently just gathered.</p> + +<p>"Although he was singing so cheerfully, his +head was bound up with a handkerchief, and I +could see that his face was badly swollen.</p> + +<p>"When he had come a little nearer, I bowed +politely and inquired of him what place it was, +for my surroundings were quite strange to me, +it being my first visit to the neighbourhood.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 15]<a name="Page_15" id="Page_15"></a></span>"He told me where I was, and explained that +he was the Grand Panjandrum's Chief Cook, and +that he had been to gather cabbages to make an +apple pie with."</p> + +<p>I was about to ask how this was possible, when +I caught Shin Shira's eye, and I could see by the +light in it that he was expecting me to make +some inquiry; but I was determined that he should +not again have the opportunity of remarking +upon my ignorance, so I held my tongue and said +nothing, as though gathering cabbages in order +to make an apple pie was the most natural thing +in the world to do.</p> + +<p>He waited for a moment and then continued—</p> + +<p>"I stood talking to the man for some time, +and at last I asked what was the matter with his +face.</p> + +<p>"'I've the toothache,' he said ruefully, 'and +that's why I was singing; I'm told that it's a +capital remedy.'</p> + +<p>"'I'll see if I can't find a better one,' said I, +taking up this little book, which I always carry +with me." And Shin Shira held out for my +inspection a tiny volume bound in yellow leather, +with golden clasps, which was attached to his +girdle by a long golden chain.</p> + +<p>"This," he explained, "is a very remarkable +book, and has been in our family for many +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 16]<a name="Page_16" id="Page_16"></a></span>hundreds of years. It contains directions what +to do in any difficulty whatsoever, with the aid +of the fairy power, which, as I have told you, I +inherit from my fairy ancestor.</p> + +<p>"The only difficulty is that, as I am partly a +mortal, <i>sometimes</i> (owing perhaps to my fairy +great-great-great-grandmother being in a bad +temper at the moment) the fairy spell refuses +to work, and then I am left in the lurch.</p> + +<p>"This time, however, it worked splendidly, for +I had only to turn to the word 'Toothache' +to discover that the fairy remedy was to 'rub the +<i>other</i> side of the face with a stinging nettle, and +the pain and swelling would instantly disappear.'</p> + +<p>"Fortunately there were plenty of nettles to +be found in a neglected corner of the garden, and +I quickly applied the remedy, which worked, as +the saying is, 'like magic,' for the Grand Panjandrum's +Chief Cook's face resumed its normal size +at once, and the pain vanished immediately.</p> + +<p>"It is needless to say that he was very grateful, +and we were walking back to the Palace, where +he had just promised to regale me with some of +the choicest viands in his larder, when we met, +coming towards us, a most doleful-looking individual, +clothed in black and wearing a most woebegone +visage.</p> + +<p>"'It's the Court Physician,' said the Cook; 'I +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 17]<a name="Page_17" id="Page_17"></a></span>wonder why he is looking so melancholy. May I +venture to ask, sir,' he inquired respectfully, 'the +occasion of your sorrow?'</p> + +<p>"'I am to be executed to-morrow by the +Grand Panjandrum's order,' said the Court +Physician dolefully, wiping a tear of self-pity from +his eye.</p> + +<p>"The Chief Cook shrugged his shoulders. +'H'm!' said he, 'if <i>that's</i> the case, and His +Supreme Importance has ordered your execution, +nobody can possibly prevent it, and there is +nothing left but to grin and bear it.'</p> + +<p>"'No,' said the Court Physician indignantly. +'I may have to bear it, but I shall <i>not</i> grin. I +absolutely refuse! They can't do more than kill +me, and I <i>won't</i> grin, so there!'</p> + +<p>"The Chief Cook looked horrified. 'It's one +of the laws of the land,' he said, 'that whenever +one suffers anything at the hands of the Grand +Panjandrum, one must grin and bear it; it's a +most terrible offence not to do so.'</p> + +<p>"'I don't care,' said the Court Physician +recklessly, 'I shan't grin, and there's an end +of it.'</p> + +<p>"'Why are you sentenced to death?' I asked.</p> + +<p>"'His Supreme Importance, the Grand Panjandrum, +has had the toothache for three days, +and I have been unable to subdue it without +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 18]<a name="Page_18" id="Page_18"></a></span>drawing the tooth, which His Supreme Importance +refuses to permit me to do, and in a fit of +temper yesterday he said that if he were not +better to-day I should be executed to-morrow—and +it's worse.'</p> + +<p>"The Chief Cook looked at me delightedly.</p> + +<p>"'If <i>that's</i> all,' he said, 'this gentleman, whose +name I am unfortunately unacquainted with, has +a remedy which will soon get you out of your +trouble, and I shouldn't wonder if, after all, His +Supreme Importance's toothache were the means +of raising us all to honour and distinction;' and +he proceeded to tell the Court Physician how +I had been successful in ridding <i>him</i> of the +toothache.</p> + +<p>"The Court Physician was greatly interested, +and after I had read to him the directions in the +book, he suggested that he should take me to +the Palace at once and into the presence of +the Grand Panjandrum.</p> + +<p>"'For no doubt the operation must be performed +by yourself, since you alone possess the +fairy power,' said he. And so we made the best +of our way to the beautiful building which I could +see in the distance.</p> + +<p>"I wish I could describe to you the magnificence +of that marvellous place. The jewelled +windows and golden staircase; the wonderful +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 19]<a name="Page_19" id="Page_19"></a></span>velvety carpets and silken hangings; the hundreds +of silent servants dressed in the beautiful +royal livery of the Grand Panjandrum, who +flitted about executing immediately the slightest +wish echoed in that wonderful place.</p> + +<p>"But it is sufficient to say that, after a lot of +ceremony, I was at last ushered into the presence +of the Grand Panjandrum himself.</p> + +<p>"It is forbidden to anyone, under the most +awful penalties, to describe His Supreme Importance's +appearance, so I cannot tell you what he +was like; but I found him suffering the most +excruciating agony with the toothache, and with +his face even more swollen than the Chief Cook's +had been.</p> + +<p>"At a sign from the Court Physician I quickly +prepared my nettle leaves, which we had thought +to gather on our way to the palace, and began to +rub them gently on the Grand Panjandrum's +cheek, on the opposite side of his face to that +which was swollen.</p> + +<p>"To my horror and amazement, they had no +effect whatever, except immediately to raise a +terrible rash upon His Supreme Importance's +cheek, and to cause him such pain that he called +out angrily that it was worse than the toothache +itself.</p> + +<p>"I hurriedly and anxiously consulted my little +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 20]<a name="Page_20" id="Page_20"></a></span>book to see if by any mischance I had failed in +carrying out any of the directions; but no, there +it was in black and white—'rub the <i>other</i> side +with a stinging nettle.'</p> + +<p>"I showed it to the Court Physician, and he +said—</p> + +<p>"'Try the "other" side, then: you've rubbed +one side, try the other.'</p> + +<p>"So in fear and trembling I begged His +Supreme Importance's permission to apply the +remedy to his other cheek, and after some demur +he agreed, but making it a condition that if it +failed to act I was to be immediately beheaded.</p> + +<p>"You may imagine with what anxiety I +awaited the result of my experiment, and how +carefully I rubbed the nettles on.</p> + +<p>"It was all in vain: the rash spread under the +nettles and the swelling grew greater than ever—evidently +my fairy power refused to work—and +the Grand Panjandrum was in a fearful +rage.</p> + +<p>"'Fetch the Executioner!' he cried, in terrible +tones. 'I will see this impostor executed before +my eyes!' And twenty slaves flew to obey his +command.</p> + +<p>"'Grin!' whispered the Court Physician behind +his hand, 'grin and bear it; it's the only +thing to be done.'</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><a name="Page_20a" id="Page_20a"></a><img src="./images/illus-020a.jpg" width="600" height="830" +alt="Illustration: The Executioner in his agitation dropped his axe." +title="The Executioner in his agitation dropped his axe" /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 21]<a name="Page_21" id="Page_21"></a></span>"I gave him a wrathful glance, and was about +to speak, when at a sign from the Grand Panjandrum, +two powerful slaves sprang forward and +bound and gagged me.</p> + +<p>"There was a sound of approaching footsteps, +and from another entrance the Executioner +appeared, followed by some slaves carrying the +block.</p> + +<p>"I thought my last moment had arrived, but +just then, to my intense delight, I felt a curious +sensation, which told me that I was about to +disappear.</p> + +<p>"My feet went first (this is not always the case), +and then my legs, and I could see the amazement +with which the Grand Panjandrum and all the +assembled company were regarding the, to them, +extraordinary phenomenon.</p> + +<p>"The Executioner in his agitation dropped his +axe, and stood open-mouthed regarding what was +left of me; and, although I was rather anxious lest +they should make an attempt to chop off my +head before it finally disappeared, I managed +despite my gag to 'grin' in the Grand Panjandrum's +face, and an instant later I found myself +here."</p> + +<p>Shin Shira, having finished his story, drew his +little fan from his sleeve and sat fanning himself +with great composure, while he regarded +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 22]<a name="Page_22" id="Page_22"></a></span>my doubtless astonished face with considerable +amusement.</p> + +<p>"I—I'll put that story down at once, if you +don't mind," I stammered, hurrying to my desk +and getting out some papers.</p> + +<p>The drawer stuck, and it was some seconds +before I could get it open, and when I turned +round again, to my great dismay, Shin Shira +had almost disappeared.</p> + +<p>The little yellow shoes were still there and part +of a stocking, but even as I watched them they +too disappeared, the long pointed toes of the +shoes waggling a kind of farewell—or so I thought—and +my strange little visitor had vanished.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 23]<a name="Page_23" id="Page_23"></a></span></p> +<h2><a name="MYSTERY_NO_II" id="MYSTERY_NO_II"></a>MYSTERY NO. II</h2> +<h3>SHIN SHIRA AND THE DRAGON</h3> + + +<p>It was during my holidays in Cornwall that I +next met Shin Shira.</p> + +<p>I had ridden by motor-car from Helston to the +Lizard, and after scrambling over rugged cliffs +for some time, following the white stones put by +the coastguards to mark the way, I found myself +at last at the most beautiful little bay imaginable, +called Kynance Cove.</p> + +<p>The tide was low, and from the glittering white +sands, tall jagged rocks rose up, covered with +coloured seaweed; which, together with the deep +blue and green of the sky and sea, made a perfect +feast of colour for the eyes.</p> + +<p>On the shore I met an amiable young guide, +who, for sixpence, undertook to show me some +caves in the rocks which are not generally +discovered by visitors.</p> + +<p>They were very fine caves, one of them being +called The Princess's Parlour; and while we were +exploring this, I suddenly heard a roar as of some +mighty animal in terrible pain.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 24]<a name="Page_24" id="Page_24"></a></span>I turned to the guide with, I expect, rather a +white face, for an explanation.</p> + +<p>He smiled at my alarm, however, and told me +that it was "only the Bellows," and suggested a +visit to the spot whence the sound proceeded.</p> + +<p>We scrambled out of the cave and descended +to the sands again, and passing behind a tall rock +called The Tower, we saw a curious sight.</p> + +<p>From between two enormous boulders came +at intervals a great cloud of fine spray, which +puffed up into the air for about twenty feet, +accompanied by the roaring noise that I had +previously noticed. My young guide explained +to me that the noise and the spray were caused +by the air in the hollow between the two boulders +being forcibly expelled through a narrow slit in +the rocks as each wave of the incoming tide +entered. Having made this quite clear to me, he +took his departure, warning me not to remain too +long on the sands, as the tide was coming in +rather rapidly.</p> + +<p>I sat for some time alone on the rocks, gazing +with fascinated interest at the curious effect +produced by the clouds of spray coming from +"the Bellows," and was at last just turning to +go when I started in surprise, for there, sitting +on another rock just behind me, was the little +Yellow Dwarf, Shin Shira, energetically fanning +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 25]<a name="Page_25" id="Page_25"></a></span>himself with the little yellow fan which I had +noticed at our previous meeting.</p> + +<div class="figright"><img src="./images/illus-025.png" width="300" height="366" +alt="Illustration: Sitting on another rock just behind me, was the little Yellow Dwarf" +title="sitting on another rock just behind me, was the little Yellow Dwarf" /></div> + +<p>"Oh! it's you, is it?" he remarked, when he +caught sight of my face. "I thought I recognised +the back view; you see it was the last I saw of you +when I paid you +that visit in your +study."</p> + +<p>"And disappeared +so very +suddenly," I answered, +going up +and offering my +hand, for I was +very pleased to +see the little man +again.</p> + +<p>"I was <i>obliged</i> +to. You know of +my unfortunate +affliction in having +to appear or +disappear whenever my fairy great-great-great-grandmother +wishes. <i>He's</i> safe enough, isn't +he?" he added, inconsequently nodding his head +towards "the Bellows."</p> + +<p>"Who is? What do you mean?" I inquired.</p> + +<p>"The dragon, of course," said Shin Shira.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 26]<a name="Page_26" id="Page_26"></a></span>"The dragon!" I exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Certainly—you know that there's a dragon +imprisoned behind those rocks, don't you?"</p> + +<p>I laughed.</p> + +<p>"No," I said, "although I must admit that I +was at first inclined to think that something of +the sort was concealed there. I've had it all +explained to me, though," and I proceeded to +inform him of what the guide had told me +concerning the matter.</p> + +<p>"Pooh! Rubbish! He doesn't know what +he's talking about," said Shin Shira contemptuously; +"I'll tell you the real story of those rocks +as it occurred, let's see—about eight or nine +hundred years ago. I remember it quite well, +for it was one of those occasions when I was <i>most</i> +distressed at having to disappear at what was +for me the very worst possible moment."</p> + +<p>I settled myself comfortably on the rocks +beside Shin Shira and prepared to listen with great +interest.</p> + +<p>"Let's think for a moment," said the little +Yellow Dwarf, looking about him.</p> + +<p>"It began—oh, yes! I know now. In that +cave over yonder—I was eight or nine hundred +years younger then, and a very warm-blooded +and impressionable young fellow at that time; +and I can remember being struck with the +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 27]<a name="Page_27" id="Page_27"></a></span> extreme beauty of the charming Princess whom +I discovered in tears there when I suddenly +appeared.</p> + +<p>"The cave itself was hung about with the most +beautiful silken curtains and tapestries, and on +the floor were spread rugs and carpets and cushions +of Oriental magnificence. Tiny tables, inlaid +with ivory and mother-of-pearl, were scattered +about, on which were caskets filled with beautiful +jewels and rare curios from foreign lands.</p> + +<p>"The Princess herself was reclining on one of +the cushions, sobbing as though her heart would +break, and her beautiful hair was lying in dishevelled +glory about her shoulders.</p> + +<p>"I was afraid of alarming her, so I coughed +slightly to attract her attention.</p> + +<p>"She started up immediately with a look of +terror, but was calmed in an instant when she +saw who it was.</p> + +<p>"'Oh!' she cried, 'have you slain him? +You must have done in order to have reached +here. Oh! have you come to save me?' and +she looked at me with wild, eager eyes.</p> + +<p>"'Calm yourself, fair lady!' said I. 'What +is it that alarms you? Be sure that I will do +all in my power to protect you from any evil that +threatens you.'</p> + +<p>"'The Dragon!' gasped the Princess. 'Have +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 28]<a name="Page_28" id="Page_28"></a></span>you not slain him? How else can you have +entered? He lies at the door of the cave.'</p> + +<p>"She caught me by the hand and led me to +the entrance, and then, clasping one hand over +her eyes and shuddering with terror, she pointed +to where, a short distance beyond, under the +shadow of some rocks, lay a terrible Dragon, +watching with cruel and expectant eyes for any +prey that might come his way.</p> + +<p>"'I cannot get away from here except I pass +him, and I have been imprisoned here now for +two days,' sobbed the Princess. 'The King, my +father, must indeed be distraught at my absence,' +and she burst into fresh weeping.</p> + +<p>"I pressed her to tell me how she came there, +and she explained to me that one day, while +walking on the sands with one of her maidens in +attendance, they had together discovered this +cave, which was only accessible at low tide; +and they had secretly brought the rugs and +tapestries and other furniture with which the +cave was filled and made a bower of it, to which +the Princess was wont to retire whenever she +wished to be alone.</p> + +<p>"And, venturing here two days since without +attendance, the Princess had found, when she +had wished to depart, the terrible monster lying +in her path.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 29]<a name="Page_29" id="Page_29"></a></span>"'And so,' she cried, 'I have been a prisoner +all this time.'</p> + +<p>"I cheered her as well as I was able, and turned +to my little book to see if by chance it gave me +any directions how I might slay a Dragon by +means of my fairy powers; and I read there that +though one might not slay it (for a Dragon lives +for a thousand years), one might rob it of its +power by casting at it a jewel of great brilliancy, +at the same time wishing that he might become +dazed and impotent till one could escape, and it +would be so.</p> + +<p>"I told this to the Princess, and she hastened +to unfasten from her bosom a jewel of great value +set in gold of curious workmanship, which she +gave to me, imploring me at the same time to do +immediately as the book directed.</p> + +<p>"'Nay,' said I, 'the jewel is yours; you must +cast it at the Dragon, and I will <i>wish</i> that the +fairies may aid us.'</p> + +<p>"And so we stood at the door of the cave, and +the Dragon, seeing us, came forward with wide-opened +jaws.</p> + +<p>"The Princess clung to my arm with one hand, +but with the other she cast the jewel, while with +all my desire I wished that my fairy powers might +not fail me now.</p> + +<p>"Whether, however, it was that the fairies +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 30]<a name="Page_30" id="Page_30"></a></span>willed it so, or perchance because she was a girl, +the Princess's aim was not straight, and she hit, +not the Dragon, but a great boulder in the +shadow of which he was lurking; and then a +truly remarkable thing occurred, for the boulder, +immediately it was struck by the jewel, tumbled +forward, and falling upon one beside it, imprisoned +the Dragon between the two, where he has +remained to this day."</p> + +<p>And Shin Shira pointed dramatically to the +rocks, from which an extra large puff of spray +belched forth, with a groan and a cry which +almost convinced me that what he told me must +be true.</p> + +<p>"And what became of the Princess after +that?" I inquired, being anxious to hear the end +of the story.</p> + +<p>"Why," resumed Shin Shira, "we picked up +the jewel and hurried away from the spot, and +presently came at the top of the cliffs to the +Castle, the ruins of which may still be seen up +yonder—to where the King dwelt.</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell you with what joy the Princess +was received, nor with what honour and favour +I was rewarded by the King—and, indeed, by all +of the people—as the Princess's deliverer.</p> + +<p>"It is enough to say that the King called a +great assembly of people, and before them all +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 31]<a name="Page_31" id="Page_31"></a></span>said that as a fitting reward he should give me +the fairest jewel in all his kingdom, and handed +me the very stone which had been cast at the +Dragon, and which was valuable beyond price, +being one of the most perfect and flawless stones +in the world.</p> + +<p>"I was glad enough to have the gem, but I +had fallen madly in love with the Princess's +beauty, so I made bold to remind the King +that the fairest jewel in his kingdom was not +the gem he had given me, but the Princess, his +daughter.</p> + +<p>"The answer pleased the King and the people, +though I remember sometimes sadly, even now, +that the Princess's face fell as she heard the King +declare that his word should be kept, and the +fairest jewel of all, even the Princess herself, +should be mine.</p> + +<p>"But now, alas! comes the sorrowful part, +for, before the ceremony of our marriage could +be completed, I was doomed by the fairies to +disappear, and so I lost for ever my beautiful +bride," and Shin Shira gave a deep sigh. "The +jewel though," he added, "remained mine, and +I have always worn it in the front of my turban +in honour and memory of the lovely Princess. +You may like to see it," and Shin Shira reached +up to his head for the turban in which I had +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 32]<a name="Page_32" id="Page_32"></a></span>noticed the jewel sparkling only a moment +before.</p> + +<p>It was gone!</p> + +<p>"Dear me! I'm disappearing again myself, +I'm afraid," said Shin Shira, looking down at +his legs, from which the feet had already vanished.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye!" he had just time to call out, +before he departed in a little yellow flicker.</p> + +<p>"Hi! Hi!" I heard voices shouting, and +looking up to the cliffs I saw some people waving +frantically. "Come up quickly, or you'll be +cut off," they shouted.</p> + +<p>And I hurried along the sands, only just in +time, for I had been so interested in Shin Shira's +story that I had not noticed how the tide had +been creeping up. I shall have a good look at +that jewel in Shin Shira's turban next time I see +him—and as for "the Bellows," I hardly know +which explanation to accept, Shin Shira's or that +of the guide.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 33]<a name="Page_33" id="Page_33"></a></span></p> +<h2><a name="MYSTERY_NO_III" id="MYSTERY_NO_III"></a>MYSTERY NO. III</h2> + +<h3>THE MAGIC CARPET</h3> + + +<p>It was just at the end of the school term, and +I had received a letter from my young cousin +Lionel, who was at Marlborough, reminding me +of my promise that he should spend a part at +least of his holidays with me.</p> + +<p>"Mind you're at the station in time," he +had said; "and, I say! please don't call me +Lionel if there are any of our fellows about, it +sounds so kiddish. Just call me Sutcliffe, and +I'll call you sir—as you're so old—like we do +the masters. Oh yes! and there's something I +want you to buy for me, very particularly—it's +for my study. I've got a study this term, and +I share it with a fellow named Gammage. He's +an awfully good egg!"</p> + +<p>"What extraordinary language schoolboys do +manage to get hold of," I thought as I re-read +the letter while bowling along in the cab on my +way to the station, which, a very few minutes +later, came in sight, the platform being crowded +with parents, relatives and friends waiting to +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 34]<a name="Page_34" id="Page_34"></a></span>meet the train by which so many Marlburians +were travelling.</p> + +<p>There was a shriek from an engine, and a rattle +and clatter outside the station, as the train, +every window filled with boys' excited faces, +came dashing up to the platform.</p> + +<p>"There's my people!" "There's Tom!" +"Hi! hi! Here I am!" "There's the pater +with the trap!" "Hooray!" To the accompaniment +of a babel of cries like these, and +amidst an excited scramble of half-wild school-boys, +I at last discovered my small cousin.</p> + +<p>"There he is!" he said, pointing me out to a +young friend who was with him; and coming up +he hurriedly offered his hand.</p> + +<p>"How are you, <i>Sutcliffe</i>?" I asked, remembering +his letter.</p> + +<p>"All right, thanks," he replied. "This is +Gammage. I wanted to show you to him. He +wouldn't believe I had a cousin as old as you are. +See, Gammage?"</p> + +<p>Gammage looked at me and nodded. "'Bye, +Sutcliffe; good-bye, sir," said he, raising his hat +to me and hurrying off to his "people."</p> + +<p>"I say! don't forget the rug, Sutcliffe!" he +bawled over his shoulder before finally disappearing.</p> + +<p>"Oh no! I say, sir! <i>That's</i> what I want +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 35]<a name="Page_35" id="Page_35"></a></span>to ask you about," said Sutcliffe, scrambling into +the taxi, and settling himself down with a little +nod of satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"What?" I inquired, as we bowled out of +the station.</p> + +<p>"Why, a rug for my—our—study," said the +boy. "Gammage has bought no end of things +to make our room comfortable, and they've sent +me up some pictures and chairs and things from +home—and—it would be awfully decent of you +if you'd buy me a rug to put in front of the fire-place. +It's rather cheek to ask, but you generally +give me something when I come over to see you, +and I arranged with Gammage to say I'd rather +have that than anything. What sort of a shop +do you get rugs at? Couldn't we get it on our +way now, and then it would be done with? I +might forget to ask you about it later on."</p> + +<p>"What sort of a rug do you want?" I asked, +as the taxi turned into Tottenham Court Road.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know, sir. Any sort of an +ordinary kind of rug will do. There's some in +that window; one of those would do."</p> + +<p>I stopped the taxi and we got out. The window +was filled with Oriental rugs and carpets, and a +card in their midst stated that they were "a +recent consignment of genuine old goods direct +from Arabia."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 36]<a name="Page_36" id="Page_36"></a></span>"Oh, they're too expensive, I expect," I +remarked, as we stood amongst a small crowd of +people in front of the window, "those Oriental +rugs are generally so—"</p> + +<p>But Sutcliffe suddenly nudged my arm, and, +with an amused twinkle in his eye, called my +attention to a remarkable little figure standing +beside him, dressed in an extraordinary yellow +costume, and wearing a turban.</p> + +<p>"Why! bless me! It's Shin Shira!" I +exclaimed. "I hadn't noticed you before."</p> + +<p>"No," said the Yellow Dwarf, "I've only just +appeared. How very strange meeting you here!"</p> + +<p>I told him what we were doing, and introduced +my young cousin, who was greatly interested +and somewhat awe-struck at the extraordinary +little personage in the Oriental costume, whose +remarkable appearance was causing quite a +sensation amongst the bystanders.</p> + +<p>"Oh, these rugs," he said, looking at them +casually. "No, I don't fancy they are much +good for your purpose, they seem to be too—hullo!" +he suddenly cried excitedly, "what's +that? Good gracious! I really believe it's—Why, +yes! I'm sure of it! I recognise it quite +well by the pattern. There's not another in the +world like it. How could it possibly have got +here?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 37]<a name="Page_37" id="Page_37"></a></span>"What <i>are</i> you talking about?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"Why, this carpet," cried Shin Shira, pointing +excitedly to a very quaint-looking Oriental rug +in the corner of the window. "It's the Magic +Carpet which everybody has read about in the +<i>Arabian Nights</i>. It enables anybody in whose +possession it is to travel anywhere they wish—surely +you must have heard about it."</p> + +<p>"No!" cried Lionel, his eyes sparkling with +eagerness, "not really? Oh, sir! Do—<i>do</i> +please buy it—it will be simply ripping! Do! +do! Why, it will be better than an aeroplane."</p> + +<p>I had never in my life before seen my cousin +so excited about anything.</p> + +<p>"I should certainly advise you to purchase it," +whispered Shin Shira. "It is a very valuable +rug, and no doubt you would find it very useful +in many ways."</p> + +<p>I must confess to a considerable amount of +curiosity myself as we entered the shop and +asked to be shown the carpet which Shin Shira +declared to be endued with such remarkable +properties.</p> + +<p>It was a very handsome one, and the shopkeeper +showed it to us with a considerable amount +of pride.</p> + +<p>"It's a genuine article, sir," he told me. +"Came over only last week from Arabia in a +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 38]<a name="Page_38" id="Page_38"></a></span>special parcel purchased by our agent in Baghdad—I +believe it's very old. These foreigners know +how to make things which will last."</p> + +<p>I inquired the price, and hesitated considerably +when I found that it was far in excess of the +amount I had intended to pay for a rug.</p> + +<p>However, Lionel seemed so very eager, and +Shin Shira assured me so positively that it was +really a bargain, that, with a sigh at what I feared +was a great piece of extravagance on my part, I +took out my purse and paid for it. "To where +shall I send it?" inquired the shopkeeper.</p> + +<p>"Let's ride home on it and save the cab fare," +whispered Shin Shira, pulling me down to his +level by my sleeve.</p> + +<p>"Good gracious!" I exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Why not? It will be the quickest way +home, and certainly the least expensive," persuaded +the little Yellow Dwarf.</p> + +<p>"But—but—" I protested.</p> + +<p>Shin Shira had already spread the carpet on +the ground, and pulling Lionel on to it, beckoned +me to follow.</p> + +<p>Half mechanically I obeyed his instructions, +and had no sooner sat down on it, cross-legged, +as I saw that Shin Shira and Lionel were doing, +than the little Yellow Dwarf cried out something +in a language which I supposed to be</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><a name="Page_38a" id="Page_38a"></a><img src="./images/illus-038a.jpg" width="600" height="834" +alt="Illustration: We floated away over the roofs of the houses." +title="We floated away over the roofs of the houses" /> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 39]<a name="Page_39" id="Page_39"></a></span> +Arabic—and immediately we began to rise into +the air.</p> + +<p>I shall never forget the expression of dismay +on the countenance of the shopkeeper and his +assistants, when they saw us slowly floating in +the air towards the door.</p> + +<p>"Open it! open it, somebody!" shouted +Shin Shira, and a bewildered-looking customer +who had just entered instinctively pulled the +handle. Before we knew where we were, we +found ourselves out in the open air with a shouting, +gesticulating, excited crowd watching us as +we rose higher and higher, and floated away +over the roofs of the houses.</p> + +<p>The sensation, I must admit, was a pleasant +one, and, despite a slight feeling of nervousness +(which, however, young Sutcliffe did not appear +to share), I quite enjoyed the journey to my flat.</p> + +<p>There were, fortunately, but very few people +about, and we arrived at the door without attracting +much attention.</p> + +<p>One nervous old lady, at whose feet we +descended somewhat suddenly, did threaten to +call the police—saying rather angrily that "What +with motor-cars and such-like," she "didn't +know what we were a-coming to, and it wasn't +safe for a respectable lady to walk about the +streets, what with one thing and another."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 40]<a name="Page_40" id="Page_40"></a></span>I managed, however, to soothe her ruffled +feelings, and, rolling the rug up carefully, we went +up to the flat. I threw myself into a chair +in the study, thoroughly tired out and not a little +bewildered by the strange events of the morning.</p> + +<p>Lionel, however, was full of excitement, and +eager to be off again for a ride on the marvellous +Magic Carpet.</p> + +<p>"I say! you know! but it's the rippingest +thing I've ever heard of. Why, we'll be able +to go anywhere. Just think what an awful lot +we'll save in railway fares and cabs and those +sort of things. I suppose anybody can use it?" +he inquired, turning to Shin Shira.</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, of course," declared the little +Yellow Dwarf, "so long as you say, out loud, +where you want to go to."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Do let's go out again—just for a little +while," pleaded Lionel. "Can't we go to +Gammage's? He lives over at Wimbledon. It's +quite easy to get to, and it won't take long. We +could be back to lunch, and I should <i>so</i> like him +to see the Magic Carpet. Do come, sir."</p> + +<p>"No," I replied, shaking my head, "I'm too +tired. You two can go if you like, only be back +in an hour and a half."</p> + +<p>"Oh, jolly!" cried Lionel. "Come on, please—let's +start at once."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 40]<a name="Page_41" id="Page_41"></a></span>And he picked up the carpet under his arm.</p> + +<p>"I think it would attract less attention if, +instead of starting from the pavement, we went +out of the window," said Shin Shira. "What +do you say?"</p> + +<p>"By all means," I replied, "if you think best," +for you see, having ridden on it myself, I felt perfectly +safe in trusting my young cousin on the +Magic Carpet, and I felt sure that Shin Shira +would not let him come to any harm.</p> + +<p>So we opened the window, and a minute later +the two were gaily floating away out of sight, +both energetically waving their pocket-handkerchiefs +until they disappeared.</p> + +<p>I could tell by the noise in the street that +their strange method of conveyance was attracting +considerable attention; but as I felt thankful +to note, no one seemed to connect their +appearance with my rooms.</p> + +<p>The next hour or so passed quickly enough, +and I did not begin to get in the least anxious +till I heard the clock strike two, and then I +suddenly realised that they were over half-an-hour +late.</p> + +<p>"Oh, they're all right," I consoled myself +with thinking. "I expect Gammage is so interested +in the wonderful carpet that they can't +get away."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 42]<a name="Page_42" id="Page_42"></a></span>When three hours had passed, however, and +there was no sign of their return, I began to get +seriously alarmed.</p> + +<p>"What can have happened?" I thought, and, +to add to my discomfiture, a telegram arrived +from Lionel's parents inquiring if he had arrived +in London safely from Marlborough.</p> + +<p>I was able to reply, truthfully, that he <i>had</i> +arrived safely, but, as hour after hour passed by +without any trace of either Shin Shira or the boy, +I became more and more disturbed.</p> + +<p>At last I could stand it no longer, but putting +on my hat, I hurried off to the nearest Police +Station.</p> + +<p>"H'm! What do you say, sir?" said the +Police Inspector whom I found there, seated +before a large open book, when in a broken +voice I had hurriedly explained that I feared +that my young cousin was lost. "Went off in +company with a foreign-looking gent—Just +describe him to me, please, as near as you can."</p> + +<p>I described Shin Shira's appearance as accurately +as I could, and the Police Inspector looked +up hurriedly and gave me a searching glance.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say the gent was going +about the streets dressed like <i>that</i>?" he asked, +when I had told him about Shin Shira's yellow +costume and turban.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 43]<a name="Page_43" id="Page_43"></a></span>"Yes," I replied in some confusion, "he is a +foreigner, you know, and—"</p> + +<p>"Where does he come from?"</p> + +<p>"From Japan, I think, or China, or—"</p> + +<p>"What's his name?"</p> + +<p>"Shin Shira Scaramanga Manousa Yama +Hama is his full name, but—"</p> + +<p>The Police Inspector laid down his pen and +stared again at me.</p> + +<p>"It's a curious name," said he; "I'll get you +to write it down for me. I don't think I should +be surprised at <i>anything</i> happening to <i>anyone</i> +with a name like that. Where do you say they +were going?"</p> + +<p>"Well," I explained, "they set out to go to +Wimbledon to see a—"</p> + +<p>"Wimbledon? Let's see, from Kensington +they'd go by train I suppose, from High Street +Station, and change at—"</p> + +<p>"No, no," I interrupted, "they didn't go by +train at all, they—" and here I paused, for I +suddenly reflected how exceedingly unlikely the +Inspector would be to believe me if I told him +exactly <i>how</i> they set out for Wimbledon. "You +see," I began by way of explanation, "I bought +a rug this morning that—"</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, sir," said the Inspector somewhat +impatiently, "would you mind keeping +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 44]<a name="Page_44" id="Page_44"></a></span>to the subject. How did Mr. Shin—er—the +foreigner I mean, and your cousin go to Wimbledon? +If they didn't go by train, did they drive +or go by motor, or what?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I was trying to tell you. You see, I +bought a rug this morning, that—"</p> + +<p>"I <i>don't</i> want to hear about your rug, sir," +said the Inspector quite angrily. "If you wish +us to try and find the young gentleman you must +answer my questions properly. How did he set +out to go to Wimbledon? Come, come! Let's +begin at the beginning. Which way did they +turn when they left your door?"</p> + +<p>"You see, they didn't exactly leave by the +door," I began.</p> + +<p>"How did they go then, out of the window?" +asked the Inspector in a somewhat sarcastic +voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes," I replied, "that's just how they did +go."</p> + +<p>The Inspector looked bewildered.</p> + +<p>"Look here, sir," he said at last, "you told +me when you gave me your name and address +that you lived in a flat at Kensington on the +second floor, and now you tell me that your +cousin and a foreign gentleman with an outlandish +name and dressed like a Guy Fawkes, +left your house by the window. Really!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 45]<a name="Page_45" id="Page_45"></a></span>"So they <i>did</i>," I explained; "you see, I +bought a rug this morning that——"</p> + +<p>"<i>Bother</i> the rug, sir!" shouted the Inspector, +angrily throwing down his pen.</p> + +<p>"If you <i>won't</i> listen to what I have to say," +I said with some amount of dignity, "how can +I possibly tell you what I know? I am <i>endeavouring</i> +to explain that my cousin and the gentleman +left in a very remarkable manner by means of a +Magic Carpet, which——"</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, sir," said the Inspector, getting +up from his seat and showing me the door, "it +strikes me that it's a lunatic asylum you want +and not a Police Station. I haven't any time to +waste with people who come here with stories +like that. Good-evening!" And he shut the +door, leaving me outside on the step.</p> + +<p>I went to several other stations, and finally to +Scotland Yard, but I could get no one to believe +my extraordinary story; and at last I went to +bed quite bewildered and in a terribly anxious +frame of mind, leaving the lights burning and the +windows wide open in case the wanderers returned +during the night.</p> + +<p>The next day, not hearing any news, I was +obliged to telegraph for Lionel's father and +mother; and I had a terrible scene with them, +for they reproached me over and over again for +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 46]<a name="Page_46" id="Page_46"></a></span>letting their son venture out upon the Magic +Carpet.</p> + +<p>"You must have known," said my aunt +tearfully, "that it was dangerous to trust to +such heathenish and out-of-date methods of +travelling, and now the poor dear boy is probably +transformed or bewitched, or done something +terrible to by this wretched Yellow Dwarf +friend of yours, with the awful name. It's +really disgraceful of you to have let him go at +all!"</p> + +<p>And so, amid the most bitter reproaches, although +I left no stone unturned in my hopeless +search for Lionel and Shin Shira, several days +flew by, till one morning I nearly leaped from +my chair in surprise and delight, at seeing the +following report in the paper—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Extraordinary Rescue at Sea</span></p> + +<p>"By Marconigram comes a message from +mid-ocean that two days ago the S.S. <i>Ruby</i>, from +Liverpool to New York, picked up at sea, under +extraordinary circumstances, an English school-boy +who states that he was travelling by means +of a Magic Carpet, which he was unable to +manage. He was found to be in a state of +complete exhaustion, but has since recovered, +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 47]<a name="Page_47" id="Page_47"></a></span>and appears to be a lively, intelligent lad. He +will be landed at New York."</p></div> + +<p>It is needless to say that my uncle and myself +lost no time in putting ourselves in communication +with the steamship people, and of course +found that the rescued lad was no other than +Lionel.</p> + +<p>His father and I crossed over by the next boat, +and found him happy and well and being made a +tremendous fuss of by everybody at the hotel +where we had arranged for him to stay till our +arrival.</p> + +<p>"Of course," he explained in telling us all +about it, "everything went all right at first, and +we went to Gammage's house in no time, but he +was out. We landed in the garden, and nobody +saw us, and I went up to the front door and +knocked, and when I found Gammage wasn't +at home I just went back to Shin Shira and asked +where else we could go, because I didn't want to +go home so soon.</p> + +<p>"'How would you like to go over to France?' +he said; 'we could do it in about twenty +minutes.'</p> + +<p>"So of course I said yes, and we were crossing +the Channel all right when he suddenly began to +disappear.</p> + +<p>"You can guess I was in an awful funk when +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 48]<a name="Page_48" id="Page_48"></a></span>I found myself alone on the beastly old carpet, +and I couldn't manage it at all. I suppose it +was because I couldn't speak the language; Shin +Shira used Arabic or something, wasn't it? I +tried all sorts of things too, a little bit of French—you +know, 'Avez-vous la plume de ma sœur?' +and 'Donnez-moi du pain,' and things like that +out of my French exercises, but it didn't do any +good: we only went out to sea.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="./images/illus-048.png" width="600" height="515" +alt="Illustration: I found myself alone on the beastly old carpet." +title="I found myself alone on the beastly old carpet." /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 49]<a name="Page_49" id="Page_49"></a></span>"It was frightfully cold all night, and I couldn't +sleep at all, and I began to get awfully hungry; +but the next morning about eleven o'clock I +began to descend very slowly and gradually +down to the sea. I thought I was going to be +drowned, but fortunately just before I touched +the water they saw me from the <i>Ruby</i>, and +sent a boat out to pick me up. Everybody was +awfully decent on board, and I had plenty of +grub and changed my clothes. A fellow who +was going over with his people lent me his while +mine were being dried.</p> + +<p>"Then when I got to New York your cable +message was there waiting for me, so I knew it +was all right."</p> + +<p>We were very thankful to have found the boy +again, and within three weeks we were happily +home once more, and the adventure with the +Magic Carpet was a thing of the past.</p> + +<p>The carpet itself was left floating out at sea, +and from that day to this I have not heard of it +again.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 50]<a name="Page_50" id="Page_50"></a></span></p> +<h2><a name="MYSTERY_NO_IV" id="MYSTERY_NO_IV"></a>MYSTERY NO. IV</h2> + +<h3>SHIN SHIRA AND THE DUCHESS</h3> + + +<p>It all began with the collar-stud—at least I +put it down at that.</p> + +<p>You see, I was dressing rather nervously to +go to a charity "At Home" at the Duchess of +Kingslake's. I had not met the lady previously, +but some young friends of mine had been invited +to the "At Home," and they had persuaded +the Duchess to ask me too.</p> + +<p>I do not know many titled people, and had +never before visited a real live Duchess, so I was +just telling myself that I must really be on my +very best behaviour, and above all, that I must +not be late in arriving. The card had mentioned +"4 to 6.30," and it was past three o'clock +now.</p> + +<p>I was just struggling to fix my collar, which +was rather stiff and tight, when suddenly the +stud popped out and rolled away to—where?</p> + +<p>Down I got on my hands and knees, and groped +about in every direction that I could think of. +I lit a candle, and searched in every available +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 51]<a name="Page_51" id="Page_51"></a></span>hiding-place; but no—no collar-stud could be +anywhere found.</p> + +<p>And the time was going on. I rang the bell +for Mrs. Putchy, my housekeeper.</p> + +<p>"Please, Mrs. Putchy, send at once to the +nearest hosier's and buy me a plain collar-stud, +and kindly ask Mary to get back as quickly as +possible. I am expecting the cab every moment."</p> + +<p>"It is at the door, sir," said Mrs. Putchy; +"and I don't know, I'm sure, where Mary will be +able to get a collar-stud for you to-day. This +is Thursday, you know, sir, early closing day."</p> + +<p>Too true. It was indeed <i>most</i> unfortunate. +In my neighbourhood all the shops close at +two o'clock Thursdays, and it would have been +as easy to buy a collar-stud as an elephant at +Kensington just then.</p> + +<p>What was to be done?</p> + +<p>A sudden inspiration struck me.</p> + +<p>I ran across to the study, and undoing my +desk, I found a little yellow-covered book attached +to a golden chain which I had picked up just +after my friend Shin Shira had vanished the +last time he had visited me.</p> + +<p>It was the book which the fairies had given +him, and contained directions as to what to do +when in any difficulty. I hurriedly turned to +the letter C, intending to look for "collar-stud"—but, +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 52]<a name="Page_52" id="Page_52"></a></span> to my great disappointment, there was +no such word to be found.</p> + +<p>"Of course not," I suddenly thought; "the +people who live in the land from which Shin +Shira comes don't wear such things," and I let +my mind wander back to my little friend with +his yellow silk costume and turban.</p> + +<p>"Hullo! though," I exclaimed a moment +later, "what's this?"</p> + +<p>My eyes had caught the words "<i>To obtain +your wishes</i>" at the top of one of the pages.</p> + +<p>I hastily read what followed, and gathered +from what was written that <i>anybody</i> could have +at least <i>two</i> wishes granted by the fairies if he +only went about it in the right way and followed +the given directions closely. It appeared that +one must hop round three times, first on one +foot and then on the other, repeating the following +words aloud, and wishing very hard—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i0">"Fairies! fairies! grant my wishes,</span><br /> +<span class="i2">You can do so if you will,</span><br /> +<span class="i0">Birds and beasts and little fishes</span><br /> +<span class="i2">One and all obey you still.</span><br /> +<span class="i0">Fairies! Please to show me how</span><br /> +<span class="i2">You can grant my wishes <i>now</i>."</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>Of course <i>I</i> immediately wished for a collar-stud, +and I was just hopping round on my right +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 53]<a name="Page_53" id="Page_53"></a></span>leg for the third time, having begun with the +left one, when Mrs. Putchy entered the room.</p> + +<p>She looked rather surprised at seeing me +engaged in what must have seemed to her rather +an extraordinary occupation, but she is so used +to strange things happening with me that she +made no remark, except to point to a spot just +in front of the fire-place, where, to my great +surprise, I could see the very collar-stud which +I had wanted.</p> + +<p>"Extraordinary!" I exclaimed, as I picked +it up. "I could have declared that it was not +there a minute ago, for as you know, Mrs. +Putchy, I searched everywhere for it."</p> + +<p>"The cabman, sir, is getting impatient," said +Mrs. Putchy, as she put down my coat and hat +which she had thoughtfully brought to my +room.</p> + +<p>"Well, we won't keep him waiting long now," +I smilingly said as I hurriedly completed my +dressing, and a very few minutes later, the cab +was quickly bowling me towards my destination.</p> + +<p>The mansion near Grosvenor Square, at which +the Duchess resided, was a very grand one, and +red carpet was laid down the steps and across +the pavement for the convenience of the guests, +who were arriving in large numbers at the same +time as myself. Fortunately, just inside the +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 54]<a name="Page_54" id="Page_54"></a></span>hall I met my little friends the Verrinder +children; Vera, the little girl, looking very +pretty in her white party frock; and her two +brothers, Dick and Fidge, full of excitement and +high spirits.</p> + +<p>They fastened on me at once and dragged me +most unceremoniously up to our hostess, who +it appears was Vera's godmother, and introduced +me in their own fashion.</p> + +<p>"This is the gentleman who tells stories, +godmamma," said Vera.</p> + +<p>"And knows all about the Wallypug and the +Dodo and Shin Shira, and all sorts of things," +declared Dick.</p> + +<p>"And if you ask him—" began Fidge, when +the Duchess interrupted him.</p> + +<p>"Really, children, you mustn't rattle on so. +I am very pleased to meet your friend, and I +trust that he will have an enjoyable afternoon," +and the lady smiled graciously and held out the +tips of her fingers for me to shake.</p> + +<p>I bowed as politely as I knew how, and, +following the children, was soon in the large +drawing-room, which was already half filled with +young people who had come to the "At Home."</p> + +<p>It appeared that a very grand personage +indeed was to be present. A real live Princess +was coming to receive purses of money which +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 55]<a name="Page_55" id="Page_55"></a></span>the children had collected themselves, on behalf +of the poor and sick in the East-end of London; +and, after the purses had been given, there was +to be a kind of concert and entertainment.</p> + +<p>Footmen were walking about with tea and +cakes of all sorts, and the time passed very +pleasantly, till presently there was a commotion +at the door, and Her Royal Highness the +Princess entered and was led to the end of the +room, where a tiny little girl presented a beautiful +bouquet of flowers.</p> + +<p>The Princess made a gracious little speech, +saying how glad she was to come on behalf of +the poor people to receive the purses of money +which the children had collected; and then as +they passed up one by one and laid their purses +on the silver tray beside her, she had a smile +and a little happy nod for each of them.</p> + +<p>It was a very pretty sight, but soon over, for +the Princess, who is devoted to good works, had +to hurry away to another work of charity in a +distant part of London.</p> + +<p>We were all sorry when she went, but were +not allowed to get dull, for almost immediately +afterwards the concert began.</p> + +<p>Several ladies and gentlemen sang, and a +wonderful boy-pianist played some music of his +own composing; a little girl played the violin +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 56]<a name="Page_56" id="Page_56"></a></span>delightfully; and a very humorous gentleman +was giving a musical sketch at the piano and +making us all laugh very much, when I suddenly +noticed that the Duchess, who was sitting by +herself on a settee, had raised her lorgnette and +was staring curiously, and rather apprehensively, +at something beside her.</p> + +<p>It was yellow in colour and seemed to grow +larger every minute. I had imagined at first +that it was a cushion, but now it suddenly +occurred to me that it was Shin Shira appearing.</p> + +<p>Of course! and a minute or two later there he +sat, cross-legged, composedly fanning himself on +the settee beside the Duchess.</p> + +<p>I could see her draw her skirts aside and +regard the little Yellow Dwarf in a puzzled +and bewildered manner; and, as soon as +the musical sketch was concluded, she called +one of the footmen to her and told him to +"remove that extraordinary-looking person +immediately."</p> + +<p>Vera and the boys, however, had caught sight +of Shin Shira, and flew forward to claim acquaintance +with him.</p> + +<p>"It's Shin Shira, you know, godmamma. +He's a friend of the gentleman who came with +us—and—"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 57]<a name="Page_57" id="Page_57"></a></span>"He was not invited," said the Duchess, +looking with great disfavour at the little Yellow +Dwarf, "and it was exceedingly impertinent of +your friend to bring him without an invitation—I +am displeased."</p> + +<p>"Madam," said Shin Shira, getting down to +the floor and bowing low in the Oriental manner, +"you are mistaken in thinking that I came +with a friend. I—er—appeared, because I was +<i>obliged</i> to do so—I—"</p> + +<p>The Duchess came over to where I was sitting.</p> + +<p>"<i>Do</i> you know this person?" she inquired, +pointing with her glasses towards Shin Shira. +"Who and what is he? Did you bring him +here, and if so why?"</p> + +<p>"I am acquainted with the gentleman, Duchess," +I admitted, "but he did not come with me. +I can tell you, however, that now he is here he +can be made very useful in entertaining your +guests—he is a conjurer of very remarkable +powers, and I've no doubt whatever but that he +would be only too happy to exercise them for +the amusement of the company."</p> + +<p>"That is a different matter," said the Duchess, +evidently somewhat mollified. "You may introduce +me."</p> + +<p>I went to fetch Shin Shira, and had soon +performed the necessary ceremony.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 58]<a name="Page_58" id="Page_58"></a></span>"The Duchess would be very much obliged +if you would perform some conjuring tricks, as +I know you will do with pleasure," I whispered.</p> + +<p>"Delighted, I'm sure," replied the little +Yellow Dwarf; "that is one thing which I +flatter myself I can do very well, owing to my +fairy powers," and so it was arranged that he +was to begin immediately.</p> + +<p>I cannot possibly tell you of all the wonderful +things he showed us. He made flowers grow +straight up from the carpet, and turned a gentleman's +walking-stick into a kind of Christmas-tree, +upon which hung a little present for every child +in the room: a fan for each of the ladies, and +a suitable gift for each of the gentlemen.</p> + +<p>This was a most popular trick, it is needless +to say, and the numerous ladies and gentlemen +who had by this time joined the party were as +delighted as were the children themselves.</p> + +<p>Shin Shira had become quite a centre of attraction, +and the Duchess smiled at me approvingly.</p> + +<p>"Your friend is a great acquisition," she +remarked, coming over to the settee on which +I was seated. "Look! look! whatever is he +going to do now?"</p> + +<p>I was as interested and puzzled as herself, for, +knowing of the extraordinary powers which my</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><a name="Page_58a" id="Page_58a"></a><img src="./images/illus-058a.jpg" width="600" height="833" +alt="Illustration: Shin Shira placed them in the Crystal Bowl." +title="Shin Shira placed them in the Crystal Bowl." /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 59]<a name="Page_59" id="Page_59"></a></span>little friend possessed, I could never be sure what +to expect from him in the way of the marvellous.</p> + +<p>This time it was really a most interesting +trick.</p> + +<p>First of all he turned an inkstand into a large +clear crystal bowl, and placed it on a little table +which stood in front of him. Then he asked +for anything to be given to him which the owner +wished to disappear.</p> + +<p>Several gentlemen gave their watches, and +one or two ladies laughingly took off their +bracelets and handed them to Shin Shira, who +immediately placed them in the crystal bowl.</p> + +<p>To our utter astonishment, each article as it +was placed into the bowl vanished from sight, +and Shin Shira turned the bowl upside down to +show that nothing was inside.</p> + +<p>"It's really most marvellous," murmured the +Duchess, taking off a most valuable diamond +ornament and handing it to the Yellow Dwarf. +"Please make this disappear too. I shall value +it more highly than ever if I know that it has been +through such a wonderful adventure."</p> + +<p>Shin Shira bowed, and taking the jewelled +ornament from the lady, he dropped it into the +bowl, where it at once shared the same fate as +the other articles.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Hum!" said a grave and somewhat +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 60]<a name="Page_60" id="Page_60"></a></span>pompous voice, "our friend here might readily +become a very dangerous person if he exercised +his remarkable gifts in private, and made things +disappear in this extraordinary fashion, and then +refused to produce them again. Eh? Ha! +Hum!"</p> + +<p>"Yes—ha! ha! very good. Ha! ha!" laughed +a number of people who were standing near to +the guest who had spoken.</p> + +<p>"That's the Lord Chief Justice," explained +a gentleman who stood near me. "That's why +everybody is laughing; it's considered very improper +not to laugh when the Lord Chief Justice +makes a joke—however feeble it is."</p> + +<p>I hardly listened to what he was saying, +though, for I had suddenly noticed something +which caused me a good deal of anxiety.</p> + +<p>Shin Shira was beginning to look very thin +and vapoury about the head, and, while I was +watching him, to my horror, he began to vanish +piecemeal till he had entirely disappeared from +sight, after giving me a strange, apologetic look.</p> + +<p>The people clapped and stamped and laughed, +evidently imagining that it was all part of the +trick—but I—<i>I</i> knew differently, and scarcely +dared realise what it all meant for me.</p> + +<p>For a few minutes everybody waited patiently +for him to appear again, and clapped and +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 61]<a name="Page_61" id="Page_61"></a></span>stamped in great good humour. Presently, however, +they began to get rather tired and impatient, +and, after we had waited for about twenty +minutes, the delay began to get very awkward.</p> + +<p>"Why doesn't he come back?" inquired the +Duchess, in an impatient voice, coming over to +where I was standing. "The delay is becoming +very embarrassing."</p> + +<p>I turned very red, I am afraid, for I hardly +liked to explain that the probability was that +he would <i>not</i> come back at all.</p> + +<p>"Several of my guests are wanting to go early, +and they must have their jewellery before they +depart," she continued. "Can you not tell him +to hurry up?"</p> + +<p>"I—I—I—am—afraid n—not," I stammered.</p> + +<p>"But you <i>must</i>," insisted the lady. "He's +your friend, and you brought him here, and I +shall look to you to—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Duchess! I'm sorry to interrupt your +charming party, but will you please ask the +clever little gentleman who made my diamond +and ruby bracelet disappear if he would kindly +return it, as I really must be going," said a +lady, hurrying up. "And my emerald chain, +dear Duchess." "And my gold and pearl locket," +chimed in several other voices.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you simply must fetch him back +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 62]<a name="Page_62" id="Page_62"></a></span>somehow," said the Duchess, clutching my arm +nervously. "You see my guests are beginning +to get alarmed. You must!—you must!"</p> + +<p>"B-but I can't—it's impossible," I endeavoured +to explain.</p> + +<p>The Duchess grew pale. "Do you mean to +say," she gasped, "that the man has <i>really</i> +disappeared—and—and taken the things with +him? It's too terrible—too dreadful! What +<i>am</i> I to do? And all my guests! What will +they think of me? Oh! <i>Do—do</i>—do something! +I don't mind so much about my beautiful +diamond pendant, but do somehow get back the +things belonging to my guests. You brought +him here. You <i>must</i>!"</p> + +<p>The grown-up guests were whispering together +in little anxious and indignant groups, and things +were beginning to look very serious—so serious +that I sank into a chair and buried my head in +my hands, trying to think of some possible way +out of the difficulty.</p> + +<p>The Duchess was almost in tears, and several +ladies were trying to console her, when suddenly +I thought of a means of escape. Of course! the +wish! I had another wish left according to +what the little book had told me. I had <i>wished</i> +for a collar-stud, and had found my own. +<i>Perhaps</i> if I wished for the jewellery——</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 63]<a name="Page_63" id="Page_63"></a></span>The thought no sooner entered my head than +I jumped up and began hopping on one leg +repeating—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i0">"Fairies, fairies! grant my wishes,</span><br /> +<span class="i2">You can do so if you will,</span><br /> +<span class="i0">Birds and beasts and——"</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>"Oh, he's mad, he's gone mad. Hold him, +somebody!" cried the Duchess when she saw me +hopping about in what must have appeared to +her a <i>most</i> eccentric manner; but, though several +gentlemen came up and caught hold of me, I +managed to get round three times on one leg, and +three times on the other, repeating the magic +rhyme, and then I wished—<i>wished</i> as hard as +ever I could—for the jewellery to be found, +before I sank down exhausted with my struggle.</p> + +<p>Then a most remarkable thing happened, for +the gentleman who had been pointed out to me +as the Lord Chief Justice, and who had apparently +been more indignant than anyone else at the +disappearance of the jewellery, suddenly began +behaving in a very strange manner too, diving +his hands first into one pocket and then into +another and muttering—"Strange! remarkable! +Most extraordinary!" and finally drawing out +from every part of his clothing watches, chains, +rings, bracelets and jewellery of all kinds, till +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 64]<a name="Page_64" id="Page_64"></a></span><i>every</i> missing article, including the Duchess's +diamond pendant, was restored to its proper +owner.</p> + +<p>There was a pause at first, and then everybody +began to talk at once—laughing and protesting +that "of course they all <i>knew</i> it was part of the +trick, and they weren't <i>really</i> anxious at all," +and so on, and I knew that the situation was +saved.</p> + +<p>Even the Duchess beamed and admitted that +it was "really <i>quite</i> the most marvellous performance +she had ever seen," and thanked me over +and over again for having introduced such a +remarkable conjurer to her party. The guests +were all equally delighted, and amidst the +laughter and chatter that followed, the Verrinder +children and myself made good our escape, and +I felt very thankful that the fairies' "wish" +had got me out of what at one time bid fair to +have been a very awkward predicament.</p> + +<div class="break"> +* * * * * * +</div> + +<p>The Duchess called on me the next day to +thank me again, and to ask where she might +write to my little friend to thank him also. +This information, however, I was naturally +unable to impart.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 65]<a name="Page_65" id="Page_65"></a></span></p> +<h2><a name="MYSTERY_NO_V" id="MYSTERY_NO_V"></a>MYSTERY NO. V</h2> + +<h3>SHIN SHIRA AND THE LAME DUCK</h3> + + +<p>It was during the summer holidays and my +young cousin Lionel was staying with me again. +We had been spending the hot afternoon strolling +about Kensington Gardens, and had just been +enjoying a cup of tea and some cakes under the +trees at the little refreshment place near the +Albert Memorial.</p> + +<p>"I think we'd better be going home now," I +said. "We'll get a motor-'bus at the gate."</p> + +<p>"Oh! must we go yet?" pleaded Lionel. +"It's so jolly out here under the trees. Let's +walk home past the Round Pond."</p> + +<p>"I've some letters to write before dinner," said +I, "but—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, bother the old letters!" interrupted +Lionel. "It won't take much longer to walk, +and you'll get them done all right. Come +on!"</p> + +<p>With a sigh of resignation, I not altogether +unwillingly let the young scamp have his way.</p> + +<p>It was the best part of the day: the lengthening +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 66]<a name="Page_66" id="Page_66"></a></span>shadows and the cool breeze which had sprung +up made walking very enjoyable.</p> + +<p>We had nearly reached the Round Pond when +I heard a startled "squ-a-a-k!" at my feet, and +a lame duck struggled up from the grass and +limped painfully off.</p> + +<p>"Poor thing!" cried Lionel, who was a kind-hearted +little chap. "You nearly trod on it. +I wonder how it got to be lame."</p> + +<p>"Some boys," said an indistinct voice close at +hand, "some boys threw a stone at it this afternoon +and injured its leg."</p> + +<p>We looked round in great surprise, for there +seemed to be nobody about to account for the +voice; but presently I could just discern Shin +Shira's face and yellow turban appearing.</p> + +<p>"Can't shake hands yet," said he, nodding +amiably, "for they haven't arrived at present, +but I've no doubt they'll be here shortly."</p> + +<p>"I wonder how he'd get on if he wanted to +scratch his nose," whispered Lionel, who had a +keen sense of the ridiculous.</p> + +<p>"It's rude to whisper in company," said Shin +Shira severely, evidently aware that some +remark had been made about himself—"but +there, you're only a boy, and boys are—Hullo! +here come my legs! that's all right! I thought +I shouldn't have to wait long for them. Where +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 67]<a name="Page_67" id="Page_67"></a></span>are you off to?" and the little Yellow Dwarf +hurried up to us now that he was quite complete.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we're just walking home," I replied, +"only Lionel had a fancy to pass the Round +Pond on our way; the little model yachts one +often sees there are very amusing to watch."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Shin Shira. "There's one +been left behind to-day," he continued. "The +boys who threw the stone at the duck were seen +by the park keeper, and when he came after them +they ran away, leaving their boat behind them. +Serve them right if they lose it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes! There it is now!" cried Lionel, +running towards the edge of the Round Pond. +"What a jolly little yacht. Why, it's a perfect +model," and he regarded it with the greatest +admiration. He took it from the water and +inspected it carefully.</p> + +<p>"I say!" he cried excitedly, "wouldn't it be +ripping if we could become small enough to go +for a sail in it!"</p> + +<p>"It's a very simple matter to arrange, if you +wish it," remarked Shin Shira composedly.</p> + +<p>"D-do you really m-mean that it would be +possible for you to make us as tiny as that?" +stammered Lionel in his eagerness, his eyes +bright with excitement.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't do it, but the fairies might," +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 68]<a name="Page_68" id="Page_68"></a></span>said the Dwarf, taking up the little yellow book +which I had restored to him after our last +adventure.</p> + +<p>"But should we be able to return to our +proper size again?" I inquired carefully, for I +remembered from previous experience that Shin +Shira's magical powers had an unfortunate habit +of going wrong at times.</p> + +<p>"Without the least doubt," replied he; "in +fact, from the time that you are reduced to the +size which you desire to be, you very gradually +increase, till your original size is reached."</p> + +<p>"Then there's no danger?" I hazarded.</p> + +<p>"None whatever," was the reassuring reply.</p> + +<p>"Then do, <i>do</i> please let us be 'reduced,'" +pleaded Lionel eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Very well, then," said I. "And do you propose +that we should go for a trip in the model +yacht?"</p> + +<p>"Of course!" declared Lionel.</p> + +<p>"Put it in the water then," said Shin Shira, +"and I'll see what I can do."</p> + +<p>Lionel quickly put down the boat, and +stood watching Shin Shira to see what would +happen.</p> + +<p>The little Yellow Dwarf was busily gathering +pebbles from the edge of the pond, examining +each carefully, and then throwing them down +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 69]<a name="Page_69" id="Page_69"></a></span>again in what appeared to be an aimless and +unintelligible manner.</p> + +<p>Presently, however, he said, "There's <i>one</i>," +and putting a stone carefully away in his belt, +he continued to search till he had found another +like it.</p> + +<p>"And there's the other," he said, coming +towards us.</p> + +<p>"Now then, all you have to do is to swallow +these two little white stones and wish to be—let's +see—an inch and a quarter high, and there +you are."</p> + +<p>"It seems rather a venturesome proceeding," +I said, hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>"Oh no! it'll be all right! Come along! +Let's swallow them!" cried Lionel, suiting the +action to the word and popping one of the stones +into his mouth without further ado.</p> + +<p>He immediately became so small that I had +some difficulty in seeing him at all amongst the +stones at the edge of the Pond.</p> + +<p>"Are you not going to swallow one of the stones +too?" I inquired of the Dwarf before swallowing +mine.</p> + +<p>"No, I think not," was the reply. "I'll +remain as I am, I think, in case you may require +assistance of a kind which only a larger person +than yourself could afford."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 70]<a name="Page_70" id="Page_70"></a></span>I then swallowed my stone, and immediately +became almost as tiny as my small cousin, having, +for my part, wished to be reduced to the height +of an inch and a half, thinking that <i>some</i> sort +of distinction ought to be preserved in our relative +sizes.</p> + +<p>"There!" exclaimed Lionel in a vexed voice, +when I had joined him. "It's no use after +all! How on earth are we going to get on +board?"</p> + +<p>"Ah!" cried Shin Shira, laughing good-humouredly +and now looking, to us, like a good-natured +giant, towering as he did high above our +heads. "<i>Now</i> you see the wisdom of my having +remained as I am. I can simply lift you on board +and push the boat off for you too."</p> + +<p>Suiting the action to the word, he very gently +and carefully picked up first Lionel and then me +from the ground and placed us on board the yacht, +then gave the boat a little shove which, though he +didn't intend it to do so, sent us both sprawling +on the deck and the boat itself well out into the +water.</p> + +<p>I think I have mentioned that a slight breeze +had sprung up, and the Pond was rippled over +with tiny waves, upon which our yacht danced +merrily, the sails having filled out with wind +which drove her along at a fine rate.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 71]<a name="Page_71" id="Page_71"></a></span>Lionel was running all over the deck examining +everything eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I wish there was a real cabin," he said; "this +is only a dummy one, and I find a lot of the ropes +to the sails won't act properly. I wonder how +you steer the thing, too."</p> + +<p>"By means of the rudder, I should imagine," +I said.</p> + +<p>"Of course!" exclaimed Lionel impatiently; +"any baby would know that; but this one is +fastened up so tightly that I can't move it."</p> + +<p>"Well, never mind," said I, "it is evidently +set in the right direction; for see, we are heading +straight across the Pond, and there's Shin Shira +walking round to be there to meet us when we +go ashore," and I settled myself down comfortably +to enjoy the pleasant trip.</p> + +<p>"Hullo! Look at that!" cried Lionel a +moment or two later, pointing to the shore.</p> + +<p>The lame duck had been disturbed by Shin +Shira's passing, and was slowly waddling towards +the water.</p> + +<p>"She's coming in!" declared Lionel. "By +Jove! doesn't she look a size now we're so tiny!"</p> + +<p>The boy was right, for, to us, the duck now +appeared a formidable monster of strange and +uncouth shape. Her bill, as she came quacking +into the water, opened and shut in an alarming +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 72]<a name="Page_72" id="Page_72"></a></span>manner, revealing the fact that, if she desired to +do so, she could make a meal of us at one gulp.</p> + +<p>Somewhat to our dismay, she seemed impelled +by some vague curiosity to swim in our direction, +and the situation began to get distinctly alarming +as she drew nearer and nearer.</p> + +<p>"What on earth shall we do?" exclaimed +Lionel. "I hope to goodness she isn't going to +attack us. It would be too silly to be swallowed +by a duck."</p> + +<p>"I fancy she's only coming to have a look at us," +I said, "and at any rate, if we shouted at her +loudly if she came too near it would probably +frighten her away."</p> + +<p>This seemed to be the only thing to do, and as +the duck continued to swim directly towards us +we both began to shout and wave our arms about +in what must have appeared to Shin Shira a +perfectly mad fashion.</p> + +<p>The noise, however, seemed to have the desired +effect, for the duck paused, looked at us in a +puzzled manner for a moment, and then turned +tail and began moistening her bill in the water, +lifting her head and shaking it after each mouthful, +as their habit is.</p> + +<p>"I wish she'd get out of the way," said Lionel +anxiously. "We shall run into her directly, +she's right in our course," and he began to +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 73]<a name="Page_73" id="Page_73"></a></span>shout vigorously again, in the hope of startling +her.</p> + +<p>I added my voice to his, and we both yelled our +loudest, with not the slightest effect, however, for +the duck continued unconcernedly to enjoy herself +in her own fashion in the middle of the lake. +Presently what Lionel had feared came to +pass, and with a bump which sent us both off our +feet, the yacht was driven straight on to the duck, +which gave a terrific "Quack!" and swam off +in a hurry.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="./images/illus-073.png" width="450" height="318" +title="The yacht was driven straight on to the duck" +alt="Illustration: The yacht was driven straight on to the duck" /></div> + +<p>"Our bowsprit's broken," announced Lionel, +directly he had recovered his feet, "and it's +fallen in the water and is dragging the sails +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 74]<a name="Page_74" id="Page_74"></a></span>with it—and—look out!" This as a gust of +wind filled the mainsail and caused the boat to +careen over on to her side in a highly dangerous +manner.</p> + +<p>"Look out!" and this time another and a +stronger gust completed the matter, and the sail +touched the water and immediately became +saturated, so that the boat could not right +itself.</p> + +<p>"Well, we shan't sink, that's one thing," I +said, for Lionel was looking at me in an alarmed +manner. "The water cannot get into the hull, +thanks to there not being a 'real' cabin and the +hatches only being sham ones."</p> + +<p>"That's all very well," said Lionel, though giving +a little sigh of relief at my reassuring words, +"but we can't stop here for ever. I should like +to know how we are to get ashore."</p> + +<p>Shin Shira, who had seen our accident, was +shouting and gesticulating at the edge of the Pond, +but the wind was blowing in his direction and +carried the sound of his voice away from us, so +that we couldn't hear a single word of what he was +saying.</p> + +<p>"I suppose eventually we shall drift ashore," +I said hopefully.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but not for hours and hours perhaps," +said Lionel dolefully, "because the wind may +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 75]<a name="Page_75" id="Page_75"></a></span>change, you know, and besides it's getting +dusk."</p> + +<p>"It certainly isn't a very pleasant look-out," +I agreed. "I can't see what we are to do, unless—I +say! what's that big box floating towards +us?"</p> + +<p>Lionel looked in the direction in which I was +pointing.</p> + +<p>"It's an empty match-box," he said uninterestedly; +"that's no good."</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure about that," said I. "Try +and get hold of it as it drifts this way. I've an +idea."</p> + +<p>"I can't see what good an empty match-box +can be to us," grumbled Lionel, doing his best, +however, to aid me in capturing the prize as it +blew against the side of the overturned yacht, +which we at last did with some difficulty.</p> + +<p>It was a very large box and had evidently been +in the water for some time; the paper around it +had become unstuck from the sides and hung +loose in the water beside it.</p> + +<p>"We must get the paper at all cost, and pray +be careful not to tear it," I cried.</p> + +<p>"Whatever for?" asked Lionel in amazement.</p> + +<p>"Do as you're told and don't ask questions," +I replied rather crossly, for I was very anxious to +try an experiment which I had in my mind. So +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 76]<a name="Page_76" id="Page_76"></a></span>we hauled the paper aboard and stretched it on +the bulwarks to dry.</p> + +<p>Then we hauled the broken bowsprit aboard +and freed it from the broken ropes with our pen-knives—a +long and difficult job—and by the +time we had finished, the paper which had been +around the box had become dry and quite stiff +by reason of the gum with which it had been +stuck to the sides of the box.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I see!" cried Lionel, as I clambered on +to the box (which was fastened by a rope to the +side of the yacht) and began to cut a hole in the +middle. "You're going to make a raft."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to try to," I answered grimly, for +I wasn't at all sure that my experiment would +be a success.</p> + +<p>By dint of real hard work, cutting and contriving, +however, we did eventually succeed in +making a raft of a sort, the stiff paper, fixed to +the broken bowsprit, making a capital sail; +and somewhat in fear and trembling, we both +got aboard and pushed off from the derelict +yacht.</p> + +<p>All went well for some time till we were nearing +the shore, and then I noticed something which +caused me grave alarm.</p> + +<p>We were both growing rapidly! The raft, +which had before been quite large enough to +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 77]<a name="Page_77" id="Page_77"></a></span>support us, was now low down in the water with +our weight, and there was great danger of the +water getting into the inside of the box, in which +case it would undoubtedly sink.</p> + +<p>Lionel noticed the difficulty at the same time +as myself, for he gave me a startled glance.</p> + +<p>"We're getting bigger," he said. "Do you +think the raft will hold out?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," I replied, "but we're quite +near the water's edge now—perhaps I could +swim ashore with you."</p> + +<p>"Good gracious! I can swim twice that +distance myself, thank you. Why, I beat +Mullings Major hollow in the swimming competition +last term, and he's four years older than me, +and—"</p> + +<p>Whatever Lionel was going to add was lost, +for at that instant he had to put his boasted +prowess to the test. The box, having filled with +water just as I had feared it would do, sank slowly +down, and we were left in the water.</p> + +<p>Fortunately Lionel's boast was not a vain one, +and he reached the shore before I did, laughing +and wringing the water out of his clothes.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's good to be on dry land once more +at any rate," he said, as I waded ashore, "isn't +it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," I agreed, looking about to see if I +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 78]<a name="Page_78" id="Page_78"></a></span>could discover any traces of Shin Shira in the +dusk.</p> + +<p>"There he is!" at last cried Lionel, "but his +head has vanished, and there are only his legs +and arms waving about. <i>They</i> won't be much +use to us, and—by Jove! yes! Look, here comes +that wretched old duck after us. We'll have to +cut," and he gathered up his things and set the +example.</p> + +<p>It was quite true; the old duck had evidently +come to the conclusion that we were something +dainty to eat—in the frog line probably—and was +waddling towards us as quickly as her game leg +would allow.</p> + +<p>Fortunately we were soon able to out-distance +her; and having fixed our latitude by Kensington +Palace, which we could just see in the distance, +we set out for the gate.</p> + +<p>To our tiny, but rapidly growing bodies the +distance seemed an interminable one, especially +as darkness was now quickly falling. We could +see the lights in Kensington, but they seemed far, +far away; and to add to our dismay, when at last, +tired and exhausted, we did reach the gate, it +was only to find it closed for the night, and +that during our journey from the Pond we had +grown too big to be able to squeeze through +the railings.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 79]<a name="Page_79" id="Page_79"></a></span>We waited a few minutes uncertain what to do, +till presently a cab came in sight, the horse walking +leisurely and the cabby evidently on the look-out +for a fare.</p> + +<p>"Cabby! cabby!" I called, and Lionel added +his shrill voice to mine.</p> + +<p>The cabman looked about in bewilderment.</p> + +<p>"Here, by the Park gates!" I yelled, and he +got down from his seat and came over to where +we were standing.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm blowed!" he exclaimed when he +had had a good look at us. "What the Dickens +are you? Kids or dwarfs or what?"</p> + +<p>"Never mind what we are, cabby; get us out +of here somehow, and drive us home to Kensington +Square, and I'll give you a sovereign."</p> + +<p>"Will you, though?" said the cabby. "Well, +I'm gaun to do it, but the question is—how? +I'll go and knock up the park keeper."</p> + +<p>"No, no, don't do that!" I said hastily. +"He'll want such a lot of explanations, and we're +wet and uncomfortable and anxious to get home. +Do please try and think of some way of getting +us out without having to call him."</p> + +<p>Our cabby was a man of resource, for having +considered for a moment, he backed the horse +close against the gate, stood on the top and +lowered the horse's nosebag by means of a long +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 80]<a name="Page_80" id="Page_80"></a></span>rope which he kept by him in case of emergencies, +and cried—</p> + +<p>"Now then, get in there, one at a time, and +I'll soon have you over here."</p> + +<p>Lionel got in first, and as the cabby had said, +was easily hauled up and deposited on the top +of the cab.</p> + +<p>I followed, and in a very short space of time +we were both inside the cab and rattling home at +a good pace.</p> + +<p>I got the cabby to knock at the door, and Mrs. +Putchy, to whom I quickly explained everything, +gave him a sovereign for me. In a very few +minutes Lionel and I were warm and comfortable +each in our respective beds.</p> + +<p>In the morning we had both grown to our +original sizes, and the adventure of the day before +was nothing but a memory.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 81]<a name="Page_81" id="Page_81"></a></span></p> +<h2><a name="MYSTERY_NO_VI" id="MYSTERY_NO_VI"></a>MYSTERY NO. VI</h2> + +<h3>SHIN SHIRA AND THE DIAMOND</h3> + + +<p>I was exceedingly surprised a few weeks after +our latest adventure with the little Yellow Dwarf +to receive the following extraordinary letter from +him. It was dated from Baghdad, and bore +two very unusual postage stamps, which Lionel +promptly claimed for his collection.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Kind and obliging Sir," it began, "I am in +great and serious trouble and in danger of my +life, and I appeal to you to come to my assistance +by the first boat. I will explain everything +when we meet, but kindly do not delay, as everything +depends upon your presence here.</p> + +<p>"Again beseeching you not to delay,</p> + +<p> +"Your miserable and much-afflicted friend,<br /> +<br /> +"<span class="smcap">Shin Shira Scaramanga Manousa<br /> +Yama Hawa.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>"P.S.—Inquire for me at the State Prison, +Baghdad."</p></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 82]<a name="Page_82" id="Page_82"></a></span>"Well!" I exclaimed, after perusing this +remarkable epistle, "of all the extraordinary +requests I have ever received this is the strangest. +This man, whom I have only met at the most +half-a-dozen times in my life, expects me to +neglect my work and rush off to Baghdad, of all +places in the world, to his assistance, because he +has got into some trouble which has landed him +in the State Prison there. I always thought +somehow that those uncanny powers which he +possesses would get him into serious difficulties +at some time or another. I'll send him a letter +stating that I cannot go to him." And here I +endeavoured to dismiss Shin Shira and his +affairs from my mind.</p> + +<p>I was so worried about the matter, however, +that I couldn't settle to work, so I lit my pipe +and settled myself in my easy-chair to think the +matter out.</p> + +<p>Poor little fellow! If he really was in such +desperate straits it seemed very heartless to +leave him to his fate if in any way I could be of +real assistance to him; and, after all, I could work +almost as well while I was away as I could at +home, and the voyage would probably give me +plenty of new ideas for my book. I thought of +all the kind things the little chap had done for +me, and how he had always somehow come to +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 83]<a name="Page_83" id="Page_83"></a></span>the rescue when I had been in difficulties in my +adventures with him; and finally I came to the +conclusion that it would be most ungrateful and +selfish of me if I let anything stand in the way of +my going to my friend's assistance.</p> + +<p>I had no sooner made up my mind on this +point than I called a cab and set out at once for +Messrs. Cook's office and booked a passage by the +next steamer.</p> + +<p>I will not tell you anything about the somewhat +uninteresting journey either by sea or +land, with the exception that when I at last +stepped ashore in an Oriental port, I found in +the curious costumes and strange surroundings +many things to amuse me and to wonder at.</p> + +<p>The entire journey on the whole, however, was +decidedly tedious, and I was very glad to find +myself at last in the ancient city of Baghdad.</p> + +<p>I went at once to the British Consul there and +told him my object in coming to the city.</p> + +<p>"Shin Shira!" he exclaimed. "Why, there +is scarcely anything talked about in these days +but Shin Shira. He has stolen one of the most +valuable crown jewels, and was caught with it +in his possession. Despite the indisputable +evidence against him, however, he persists in +declaring his innocence, and pleads that, with +the assistance of a friend from London, he can +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 84]<a name="Page_84" id="Page_84"></a></span>prove it conclusively. I suppose, sir, that you +are the friend from London."</p> + +<p>I told him that I was, and that I was deeply +grieved to hear of the trouble that Shin Shira +was in, and that I felt convinced that there was +some mistake in the matter which could somehow +or other be cleared up.</p> + +<p>"I should be very glad to think so," said the +Consul, shaking his head, "but I fear it is hopeless. +You see, the stone—an almost priceless +diamond—was actually found in his possession. +But come, you will be anxious to see your friend +as soon as possible. I will come with you to the +prison and see that you are admitted."</p> + +<p>The kind-hearted official called his carriage, +and together we drove through the unfamiliar +narrow streets to the dismal-looking building in +which my poor friend was confined.</p> + +<p>A brief consultation with the authorities and +the signing of various papers made me free to +enter the prison, and having thanked the Consul +for his kind offices, I was led away by one of the +officials to a terribly dark dungeon, in which, +crouched in a corner, I found my poor friend +Shin Shira, looking the picture of misery.</p> + +<p>His face lit up with a smile of hope, however, +when he saw me, and his whole aspect changed.</p> + +<p>"My friend! my deliverer!" he cried, using +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 85]<a name="Page_85" id="Page_85"></a></span>all kinds of extravagant Oriental phrases to +express his delight at seeing me. "Ah! at last +you have come, and I shall be saved! May all +the blessings of Allah be on your head!"</p> + +<p>The official withdrew, locking the door carefully +behind him, having first given me to understand +by various signs that he would return for me in +about half-an-hour.</p> + +<p>"Well, now," I inquired, when we were alone, +"what is this terrible trouble which has brought +you here? What have you been doing?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing!" declared Shin Shira solemnly. +"Nothing whatever to merit this punishment. +It is all a horrible mistake. Let me begin at +the beginning. About two months ago, after a +series of my usual adventures, I suddenly +appeared here in Baghdad. Now I have been +acquainted with the city for many, many years—in +fact, ever since the time of Sinbad the Sailor, +whom I knew quite well, and with whom I was +at one time very friendly. Well, I have many +times appeared here since then, and on each +occasion I have taken a great interest in the place +on account of old associations. I have made +many friends here, too; so when I found myself +here once more I was greatly delighted, and was +making my way to the Bazaar, where I knew I +should be sure to find some acquaintances, when +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 86]<a name="Page_86" id="Page_86"></a></span>greatly to my surprise I saw several passers-by +stop and stare at me curiously and then, whispering +amongst themselves, follow me at some +distance behind.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="./images/illus-086.png" width="450" height="496" +title="Two men came and seized me by the arms" +alt="Illustration: two men came and seized me by the arms" /></div> + +<p>"It could not be my clothing which was +attracting all this attention, for it was more or less +of the same pattern to which they were accustomed. +I caught sight of myself in a polished +steel mirror in one of the shops in the Bazaar, and +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 87]<a name="Page_87" id="Page_87"></a></span>stole a glance at myself, but could see nothing +wrong. What could be the cause? I had not +long to wait, however, before I found out to my +cost what was wrong.</p> + +<p>"The crowd following me had increased in +size, and at last two enormous men in uniform +came up and seized me by my arms, and I was +immediately surrounded by a throng of curious +faces.</p> + +<p>"'Where did you get that diamond?' demanded +one of my captors, pointing to my turban, +in which, as you know, I always wear the jewel +which the Princess gave me.</p> + +<p>"'Oh that! That was given to me many +years ago by a friend—a Princess—who has been +dead now for many hundreds of years,' I said.</p> + +<p>"'Many hundreds of years? And you say +she was a friend of yours?' exclaimed the man. +'Absurd!'</p> + +<p>"'Preposterous!' declared the other. 'Look +here! If you can't give us some more reasonable +explanation than that, we shall take you off at +once to the Chief Magistrate, and charge you +with having stolen it.'</p> + +<p>"'But why?' I gasped. 'Why should you +think that I have stolen it?'</p> + +<p>"'A diamond of exactly that size and colour +has disappeared from amongst the Crown jewels, +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 88]<a name="Page_88" id="Page_88"></a></span>and it strikes me very forcibly that this is the +very one.'</p> + +<p>"It was in vain for me to protest. I was taken +before the Magistrate, and experts were called +to examine the jewel.</p> + +<p>"They weighed it and examined it carefully +through powerful magnifying glasses, and finally +unanimously agreed that it was indeed the missing +jewel.</p> + +<p>"I was closely cross-questioned as to how it +came into my possession, and also as to my +movements during the past six months. My +explanations were considered most unsatisfactory, +and no one would believe me; consequently +I was thrown into prison and condemned +to death. It was only by the most earnest +pleading that I managed to gain time for you to +get here, as I assured them that you would be +able to put everything right, and explain matters +to their entire satisfaction."</p> + +<p>"I?" I stammered. "I am very, very sorry +for you, my poor friend, and I would do anything +to help you, but what am I to say or do which +will convince them when you tell me that you +have failed to do so?"</p> + +<p>"It is easy—easy," declared Shin Shira hopefully. +"Now attend carefully to what I say. +I am of course not allowed outside the prison +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 89]<a name="Page_89" id="Page_89"></a></span>walls, and there is no one here whom I would dare +to trust with an important commission.</p> + +<p>"Now I want you to go at once to the Bazaar, +and find a man named Mustapha, a dealer in +old curiosities; and, without letting him know +whom it is for, purchase from him a large round +crystal which you will find in his shop. He will +probably want a lot of money for it, but whatever +he asks offer him just half, and you will +find that after a lot of argument he will let +you have it at that. These Oriental shopkeepers +are all like that. And then, having secured +the crystal, hurry back here and the rest will +be easy."</p> + +<p>Although I could not in the least see what +Shin Shira wanted the crystal for, I was careful +to execute his commission to the letter.</p> + +<p>I found no difficulty in reaching the Bazaar, +and, once there, soon found out Mustapha. I +did not like the look of the man at all.</p> + +<p>He was a fawning, obsequious little man, with +shifting eyes which never looked you straight +in the face.</p> + +<p>He stood bowing and smiling and rubbing his +hands when I entered the shop and asked to see +the crystal.</p> + +<p>"Ah yea—very fine crystal—for those who +know how to use it. Very vallyble—lot money. +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 90]<a name="Page_90" id="Page_90"></a></span>You know this? You got?" and he gave +me a searching glance with his little bead-like +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, I can pay for it if I want it," I said, +"but what do you call a <i>lot</i> of money? How +much do you want +for it?"</p> + + +<div class="figleft"><img src="./images/illus-090.png" width="260" height="358" +title="Very fine crystal-for those who know how to use it" +alt="Illustration: Very fine crystal-for those who know how to use it" /></div> + +<p>He named a price +which I knew to be +very excessive, and +I shook my head +decidedly.</p> + +<p>"No! too much!" +I declared.</p> + +<p>"Oh! but see! +Beautiful crystal!" +he argued.</p> + +<p>"No," I replied, +"too much! I'll +give you half," and +I began to walk +unconcernedly out +of the shop.</p> + +<p>"And you give me little present besides?" +pleaded Mustapha.</p> + +<p>"Not a penny," said I.</p> + +<p>The man gave a little sigh.</p> + +<p>"Oh well, you take him," he said. "Not +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 91]<a name="Page_91" id="Page_91"></a></span>enough money, but Mustapha very poor, must +sell him. I wrap him up for you, see!"</p> + +<p>I paid him the money and hurried out of the +shop, for I must confess that I had taken a great +dislike to the little man with his smooth, oily +manner.</p> + +<p>However, I had got the crystal, and that was +the main thing.</p> + +<p>I hastened back to the prison, and after a long +argument with the authorities, I managed to gain +permission to see the prisoner once more.</p> + +<p>I found Shin Shira all eagerness to know if I +had secured the crystal, and when he saw it in +my hand, his joy knew no bounds.</p> + +<p>"Now it is all easy," said he, "and I shall soon +be free. This is a Magic Crystal, and by wishing +very hard to see any particular object and gazing +at it steadily for a moment or two, you will see +just what you wish to see reflected in it. Now +I'm just going to wish to—er—to—er—er—o—o-h! +I'm going to vanish! To think +that I've been here all this time hoping every +day that I should be able to disappear, and now, +just as I was about to get myself free—I—good-bye—!"</p> + +<p>And to my horror, the little Yellow Dwarf +suddenly faded away, and I was left alone in the +dungeon.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 92]<a name="Page_92" id="Page_92"></a></span>I say to my horror, for what was I to say when +the jailer appeared? How was I to account for +the prisoner's escape? I was just puzzling +about these things when the door opened and the +jailer hurriedly came to tell me the time allowed +for my visit was up.</p> + +<p>He saw at once that Shin Shira was not there, +and in a great state of excitement plied me with +questions.</p> + +<p>I felt, however, that the best thing to do was to +preserve silence: it would at least gain time; so I +shook my head and pretended not to understand +a word of what he was saying in his broken English.</p> + +<p>The man doubly locked the door and hurried +off to inform his superior officers, and I was left +alone once more.</p> + +<p>My eyes fell upon the crystal, and I suddenly +thought of what Shin Shira had said. Holding +it carefully in my hands, I wished to see the real +thief who had stolen the crown jewel.</p> + +<p>A vague mist spread over the crystal, which +gradually cleared away, and I distinctly saw +revealed the features of—Mustapha. Then I +wished to see what he had done with the stone, +and after gazing a moment or two longer, I saw +him take it down to a cellar under his shop and +bury it in a tin box under a stone, which he lifted +up from the floor.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 93]<a name="Page_93" id="Page_93"></a></span>That was enough for me. When the jailer +and the other officers came hurrying back I was +ready for them.</p> + +<p>"Where is the prisoner?" they demanded.</p> + +<p>"He has escaped," I replied coolly.</p> + +<p>"What!" they exclaimed. "You dare to +admit this, and that you assisted him to do so? +You shall take his place here, and will no doubt +receive the punishment which was intended for +him."</p> + +<p>"He is an innocent man," said I calmly, "and +ought never to have been imprisoned. He did +not steal the diamond."</p> + +<p>"How can you say that when we found it +upon him? Why, he was actually impudent +enough to go walking about in the street with it +boldly stuck in his turban."</p> + +<p>"The stone he was wearing was his own, and +he had every right, to wear it where and how he +liked," I replied steadily.</p> + +<p>"His own! Pooh! a likely story. Where is +the missing jewel then? Can you tell me +that?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," I replied, to their great astonishment.</p> + +<p>"And the thief?" they questioned eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I know who he is too. Take me before the +Magistrate at once, and I will soon restore the +lost jewel."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 94]<a name="Page_94" id="Page_94"></a></span>My assured tone of voice seemed somewhat to +impress the officials, and they left me for a few +moments to consult amongst themselves as to +what was best to be done.</p> + +<p>Presently they returned and told me to follow +them.</p> + + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="./images/illus-094.png" width="600" height="356" +title="A gentleman was seated at a table strewn with papers" +alt="Illustration: A gentleman was seated at a table strewn with papers" /></div> + +<p>I found myself conducted to a plainly-furnished +room where a dignified-looking gentleman was +seated at a table strewn with papers. He looked +up at me sharply as we entered the room, and +addressing me in excellent English, said—</p> + +<p>"What is this extraordinary story I hear about +the escape of the prisoner Shin Shira, and that +you are prepared to inform us of another person +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 95]<a name="Page_95" id="Page_95"></a></span>who has, as you say, the crown jewel in his +possession?"</p> + +<p>"It is true," said I, "and if you will allow some +of your officers to accompany me into the Bazaar +I will point out the thief at once, and show you +where he has hidden the stone."</p> + +<p>The Magistrate thought for a moment. "I +will come with you myself," he said at last. +"Have ready six men to accompany us," he +commanded; and a few minutes later we were +on our way to Mustapha's shop.</p> + +<p>The wretched man gave a start and turned +very pale when he saw us, but endeavouring to +put a bold face upon it, he came bowing and +cringing towards us, smiling and wringing his +hands.</p> + +<p>"What an honour to my poor house!" he +exclaimed. "How unworthy am I to receive +such august guests!"</p> + +<p>"We've come to see if you have any more +crystals like the one I bought of you to-day, +Mustapha," I said.</p> + +<p>"Alas! honoured patron, none!" cried Mustapha +in a relieved voice, thinking that he now +knew the object of our visit.</p> + +<p>"Think—think, Mustapha," said I. "Have +you no piece of clear glass that could be used in +its place?"</p> + +<div class='pagenum'>[Pg 96]<a name="Page_96" id="Page_96"></a></div> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="./images/illus-096.png" width="600" height="797" +title="I took up the stone" +alt="Illustration: I took up the stone" /> +<div class="caption">"I took up the stone"</div> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 97]<a name="Page_97" id="Page_97"></a></span> +"Alas, none!" he replied, shaking his head.</p> + +<p>"Look about," said I. "Here in the shop—and +down in the cellar."</p> + +<p>The little man's face turned green.</p> + +<p>"The cellar? Noble patron, how should I +find such a thing there?"</p> + +<p>"Lead the way and I will try to show you," +said I; and despite his agonised protests, the +trembling wretch was made to lead us to the +very spot where the jewel was hidden.</p> + +<p>I took up the stone and showed the Magistrate +the box in which the diamond was concealed, +while Mustapha grovelled on the ground, pleading +for mercy.</p> + +<p>What followed was a matter of course. The +merchant Mustapha was arrested, I was released +and commissioned to let Shin Shira know that if +he applied in person for his jewel it would be +returned to him, and an apology offered for his +unwarranted arrest.</p> + +<p>And so I was set free—a stranger and alone +in Baghdad.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 98]<a name="Page_98" id="Page_98"></a></span></p> +<h2><a name="MYSTERY_NO_VII" id="MYSTERY_NO_VII"></a>MYSTERY NO. VII</h2> + +<h3>SHIN SHIRA AND THE ROC</h3> + + +<p>When I found myself alone in Baghdad after +my extraordinary adventure with the Magic +Crystal, my first intention was to return at once +to England.</p> + +<p>I found, however, that it would be impossible +for me to do so for at least four days; so I prepared +to make the best of matters by doing a +little sight-seeing while I was still confined to +the ancient and interesting city.</p> + +<p>There were two additional reasons which made +the delay less disagreeable to me.</p> + +<p>The first one was that I might possibly happen +to meet Shin Shira again before I departed; and +the other was that, on the second day of my +stay, I saw a printed notice to the effect that, +according to the ancient usage of the country relating +to condemned prisoners, all of Mustapha's +goods were to be immediately sold by public +auction, and the money realised was to be confiscated +by the Crown.</p> + +<p>I had noticed a number of very quaint and +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 99]<a name="Page_99" id="Page_99"></a></span>curious articles in the shop, and thought that it +would be an excellent opportunity for me to +purchase some souvenirs of my visit, to take +back with me to England.</p> + +<p>The sale took place the next day, and I was +able to secure several interesting pieces, which +have a place in my study to this day. In fact, +I was tempted to buy so many things that I +began to fear that I should soon not have enough +money left to take me back again to London; +and I was just about to leave the auction, in +order to be out of the way of temptation, when I +caught sight of the quaintest, most uncanny-looking +brass lamp being offered for sale that +you could possibly imagine.</p> + +<p>It was slightly damaged too, and looked very +old, so I hoped that it might be going very cheap.</p> + +<p>I was right, and to my great delight it was +knocked down to me for a mere trifle.</p> + +<p>Clutching my treasures about me, I hurried +back to my hotel, and spent the whole of the +rest of the day examining and admiring my +purchases.</p> + +<p>The lamp, though, pleased me most of all, +although it was so old and battered. It was so +very quaint and uncommon, and so typically +Oriental in design—in fact, I felt sure there was +not another like it in the world.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 100]<a name="Page_100" id="Page_100"></a></span>The time came, however, for packing up, and +I had to get everything ready for the morning, +so that I might be in time for the early train.</p> + +<p>I had carefully wrapped up the other things, +and was just taking a last look at the lamp +before putting it into the bag, when, turning +around for no apparent reason, I caught sight +of a yellow turban on the floor.</p> + +<p>"Dear me!" I thought, "I suppose I must +have brought this away from the Bazaar, with +my other things, by mistake. What a nuisance! +Now I shall have to take it back again, I suppose, +or—No! it's Shin Shira's. And here comes +the rest of him!" for I could see a little hazy +yellow figure gradually growing out of nothing.</p> + +<p>"Ah! just in time, I see," said the little +fellow, when he had quite appeared. "I did +so hope that I should be able to be visible again +before you left Baghdad. Well, how did you get +on? You've got out of prison, I'm glad to see."</p> + +<p>I told him about the crystal, and how I +discovered that it was Mustapha who stole the +diamond.</p> + +<p>"Phew!" he whistled when he heard this. +"I felt sure someone had stolen it, but I didn't +think of Mustapha. I never liked the man, +though, personally, and I'm glad he's found out +at last. He has done a lot of harm to many +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 101]<a name="Page_101" id="Page_101"></a></span>people in Baghdad, and he will be rightly punished. +What is to be done with <i>my</i> diamond?" he +inquired anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're to have it back whenever you +like to go for it, and you'll receive an apology at +the same time," said I.</p> + +<p>"Very well, then, I'm off to get it first thing +in the morning," said the little fellow gleefully. +"I prize that stone far above its intrinsic value, +for it was given to me by my beautiful Princess, +you know, and I would not lose it for anything. +But, I say! what's that curious-looking old +lamp in your hand? May I look at it?"</p> + +<p>I handed it over to him.</p> + +<p>"It's just a little thing which took my fancy at +Mustapha's sale, and which I picked up for a +trifle," said I.</p> + +<p>"It's very dirty—wants cleaning badly," declared +Shin Shira. "Why, I believe it's solid +brass, though it looks like rusty iron in its +present neglected state," and he seized a duster +which was lying handy and gave the lamp +several smart rubs.</p> + +<p>"Just as I thought," said he, going on +vigorously with the polishing. "Why, it's +splendid——"</p> + +<p>"Oh!" I exclaimed, sinking into a chair. +"See! see what you've done!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 102]<a name="Page_102" id="Page_102"></a></span>An enormous form was rising from the floor, +and presently stood before us making a deep +salaam.</p> + +<p>"W-who are you?" I stammered.</p> + +<p>"The Slave of the Lamp, Master," said he.</p> + +<p>"Good gracious!" I exclaimed, "you don't +mean to say that this is——"</p> + +<p>"Aladdin's lamp," burst in Shin Shira. "I +thought somehow that it looked familiar. I +knew Aladdin well, and I've often handled this +lamp before."</p> + +<p>"Impossible!" I exclaimed, gazing at the +big black giant who stood, with his arms folded, +in dignified silence before us.</p> + +<p>"Nothing is impossible in the East," said +Shin Shira, "as you'll quickly find out if you +remain here long. And now—now that you are +the possessor of Aladdin's lamp—what are you +going to do with it?"</p> + +<p>"I—I don't know," I stammered. "I must +have time to think."</p> + +<p>"I should have diamonds," advised Shin +Shira: "they're so easy to carry and can always +be converted into money. Command him to +bring you a bag full of diamonds of all sizes."</p> + +<p>"But, but," I said hesitatingly, as visions of +untold wealth floated before my eyes, "will +he really do it?"</p> + +<p> +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 103]<a name="Page_103" id="Page_103"></a></span> +"Try him and see," said Shin Shira. So I +took the lamp in my hand, and rather nervously +commanded the Slave to bring me a bag of +diamonds.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="./images/illus-103.png" width="500" height="718" +title="I commanded the Slave to bring me a bag of diamonds" +alt="Illustration: I commanded the Slave to bring me a bag of diamonds" /></div> + + +<p>The Slave fell to the ground and touched his +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 104]<a name="Page_104" id="Page_104"></a></span>head to the floor, paying me the deepest mark of +respect.</p> + +<p>"Alas, Master, that it should be so, but you +ask your slave that which is impossible, unless +you would have me take from the shops that +which is not thine."</p> + +<p>"Not for worlds," I interrupted. "But how +is it that you cannot get me the diamonds from +the mines as you used to do for your former +Master Aladdin in the olden days?"</p> + +<p>A bitter smile spread over the Slave's face.</p> + +<p>"The age, Master, has greatly changed, and +now the mines in Africa, which were known only +to us, are being worked by greedy men with +noisy machinery, and we may not be seen there +under peril of death. This is the will of the +Spirit of the Lamp of whom I am the Slave, +and who also calls you Master, though you will +never see her."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well then, that's all knocked on the +head," I said to Shin Shira, who had been listening +attentively. "I'll dismiss the man now, shall +I, and we'll talk over what's best to be done?"</p> + +<p>Shin Shira nodded, so I told the Slave I had +no further use for him at the moment, and he +vanished.</p> + +<p>I stood looking at my little friend in great +bewilderment.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 105]<a name="Page_105" id="Page_105"></a></span>"It is a great power to possess," I said, +regarding the lamp with awe and amazement. +"I hope I shan't do anything foolish with it."</p> + +<p>"Don't be silly," said Shin Shira crossly. "I +only wish I had your chance. Why, you can +do <i>anything</i> with a power like that. Leave it +to me to think over for to-night, and I'll tell +you the best thing to do in the morning."</p> + +<p>"But I'm starting for England the first thing +to-morrow," I objected.</p> + +<p>"Oh! you must put that off for the present," +was the decided reply. "I'll be here about +eleven, and we'll talk over what's best to be done. +Good-night!" and the little fellow held out his +hand and strutted off.</p> + +<p>I slept very little that night, as you may +imagine, and all sorts of vague ideas came into +my head as to what I should do with the wonderful +power which had so mysteriously come within +my grasp.</p> + +<p>I had arrived at no definite decision as to +what was best to be done, however, by eleven +the next morning, when, punctual to the minute, +Shin Shira, looking very spruce and alert, +knocked at my door.</p> + +<p>I noticed with considerable interest that he +wore in his turban the diamond which I had so +often admired, and he saw me looking at it at once.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 106]<a name="Page_106" id="Page_106"></a></span>"Yes," he said, with a series of little nods, +"it was very easy. An hour ago I called on +the Chief Magistrate, and found him full of +apologies and quite convinced that he had made +a grievous mistake. It appears that the original +diamond, which Mustapha stole, when found, +had some of the gold setting still attached to +it, proving beyond doubt that it was the missing +jewel, so that my own was returned to me; and +the Magistrate even insisted on providing a +new aigrette and in having it replaced in my +turban by a skilled person. So here it is," +and he took off his head-dress and regarded it +with considerable pride. "But now to your +affairs. I am still in favour of the idea of the +diamonds."</p> + +<p>"But how—" I began, when Shin Shira +interrupted me.</p> + +<p>"Are you game for a very exciting adventure?" +said he.</p> + +<p>"I—don't know." I hesitated. "I seem to +have had about enough of exciting adventures."</p> + +<p>"It will be something to write about," suggested +the Dwarf, "and will undoubtedly make +your fortune."</p> + +<p>"Well," I said, "what is it? Let's hear."</p> + +<p>"Do you remember where Sinbad the Sailor +got <i>his</i> diamonds from?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 107]<a name="Page_107" id="Page_107"></a></span>"Yes, of course!" I replied, for I knew my +<i>Arabian Nights</i> by heart.</p> + +<p>"Very well, then," said Shin Shira. "All you've +got to do is to get the Slave of the Lamp to bring +us the Roc, which I happen to know is still alive; +we can then fasten ourselves to his claws, and he +will fly back to his home with us, and there, as you +know, the ground is strewn with precious stones."</p> + +<p>"But why not send the Slave for them?" +I argued.</p> + +<p>"He evidently doesn't know where they are, +and it's as well to keep him ignorant on the +subject, in case the lamp passed out of your +power, in which case he might use his knowledge +in favour of his next master. And, besides, the +Roc couldn't carry him there."</p> + +<p>"He wouldn't have to," said I. "The Slave +evidently has the power of being able to transport +himself to any place at will."</p> + +<p>"But <i>we</i> don't know where to direct him to," +said Shin Shira impatiently. He was evidently +bent upon carrying out his project, and at last +I somewhat weakly consented to his proposal.</p> + +<p>I rubbed the lamp and summoned the Slave, +who appeared promptly as before.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry to ask such a difficult thing, but +can you catch the Roc for me and bring it here?" +said I, somewhat apologetically.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 108]<a name="Page_108" id="Page_108"></a></span>"It shall be here, Master, in twenty minutes," +replied the Slave imperturbably, vanishing again +at a wave from my hand.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, I'm sure, what I want diamonds +for, when I have such a willing servant," I +grumbled, still rather unwilling to venture upon +what I regarded as an uncanny undertaking.</p> + +<p>"He can't provide you with money," said +Shin Shira.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"He'd have either to steal it or make it. +If he did the latter it wouldn't be legal, and, +besides, if it was found out, you might be arrested +for circulating unauthorised coin."</p> + +<p>"Oh, very well, then, let's go on this wild-goose +chase if you're so bent upon it," I said, +seeing that he was determined to have his +way. A few minutes later we heard a great +commotion in the courtyard, and looking from +the balcony we saw my Slave carrying by the +legs an enormous bird, who turned his head +about from side to side, staring stupidly at +everything around him. Shin Shira bustled about +and got ropes and straps, and with the assistance +of the landlord and one or two onlookers, we +were soon harnessed in quite an ingenious +manner to the claws of our strange steed (if one +may call him so).</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><a name="Page_108a" id="Page_108a"></a><img src="./images/illus-108a.jpg" width="600" height="841" +alt="Illustration: His pinions were strong and mighty." +title="His pinions were strong and mighty." /> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 109]<a name="Page_109" id="Page_109"></a></span> +The Slave released him, and the Roc immediately +flew slowly up into the air, violently +shaking his claws now and then in a vain +endeavour to get rid of the unusual weight. +Fortunately, however, the straps and ropes, +which had been fastened over the bird's back +as well, were very strong, and so the worst +thing that happened to us was a thorough +shaking.</p> + +<p>This was of no consequence, and when I +realised that I was quite safe, I began actually +to enjoy the strange experience of being carried +through the air, I knew not whither. In this +case, however, the distance was not nearly so +great as one might have expected, for leaving +the city, the great bird soared over a tract of +forest land, above one or two more towns, and +so out into the open desert, in the midst of +which was a range of rocky mountains. His +pinions were strong and mighty, so that he flew +very rapidly, and in a little less than two hours +he had alighted on a kind of tableland, at the +top of one of the mountain peaks, and we were +at our journey's end.</p> + +<p>There was no doubt but that we were at the +right place, for the ground was strewn with +stones which, though uncut, sparkled, in the +places where they had been chipped or broken, +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 110]<a name="Page_110" id="Page_110"></a></span>with a hundred different brilliant colours and +shades.</p> + +<p>Shin Shira drew his knife and quickly cut the +ropes and straps which bound us to the now +struggling bird, and he was soon released from +his uncomfortable burden.</p> + +<p>He shook himself once or twice and preened +his great feathers, and then stalked off to where +an enormous nest could be seen in a cleft in the +rocks.</p> + +<p>I have no doubt the patient and stupid bird +told his mate in bird language what a very +strange and uncomfortable experience he had +had, and at all events he kept out of our sight +from that moment.</p> + +<p>Shin Shira at once busied himself by gathering +some of the largest gems as quickly as possible; +and taking from his pockets some strong linen bags +which he had thoughtfully provided, he handed +two to me and told me to fill them for myself.</p> + +<p>This I did, and also put several into my various +pockets. I was just about to say that I thought +we had sufficient, when Shin Shira called my +attention to a balloon hovering just above our +heads.</p> + +<p>There were two people in the basket, and they +were peering at us over the edge through glasses.</p> + +<p>Presently one of them shouted an order, and +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 111]<a name="Page_111" id="Page_111"></a></span>the balloon quickly descended, so that we could +hear the rush of escaping gas as it was being +released.</p> + +<p>"Hullo there!" shouted a voice over our +heads, "who are you? We've never before +heard that these mountains were inhabited."</p> + +<p>"Neither are they," replied Shin Shira. "We +are geologists from Baghdad, and are taking +home specimens of the rocks and stones."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we're going to Baghdad. Can we give +you a lift?" said the voice kindly, and the +balloon descended still further, till at last we +were able to see the two occupants distinctly.</p> + +<p>"It's really very kind of you;—I—I think +we will accept your offer," said I, while Shin +Shira frowned disapproval.</p> + +<p>"Don't go," he whispered, "we can get +some more precious stones if we wait a little +longer."</p> + +<p>"But how are we to get back?" I answered.</p> + +<p>"The Magic Lamp," said he.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but I've left that behind at the hotel," +I replied.</p> + +<p>"In that case," said Shin Shira regretfully, +"there's nothing else to be done, I suppose."</p> + +<p>So we thankfully accepted the aeronauts' kind +invitation, and were soon floating comfortably +towards Baghdad.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 112]<a name="Page_112" id="Page_112"></a></span>I must confess that it was far more pleasant +than the outward journey had been.</p> + +<p>Before we got to Baghdad, though, Shin Shira +had the misfortune to disappear, much to the +horror of the aeronauts, who thought he had +fallen out of the basket, and who would scarcely +credit my explanation when I told them of Shin +Shira's peculiar misfortune in this respect.</p> + +<p>He left the two bags of precious stones behind +him, and they stood beside mine at the bottom +of the basket.</p> + +<p>For a few minutes the balloon, being freed from +Shin Shira's weight, rapidly ascended, but presently +there was a terrible escape of gas and +we began to descend again at a great rate.</p> + +<p>"Throw out the ballast!" cried one of the +aeronauts, and the other, seeing the four bags +of what he thought were worthless stones, in his +haste and eagerness thrust them overboard.</p> + +<p>I was too alarmed at the moment to notice +what he was doing, and it was only when matters +had been put right, by stopping the escape of +gas, that I realised what had happened.</p> + +<p>It was useless, however, to cry over spilt +milk, and all my thought now was to get back +to the hotel in safety.</p> + +<p>This we eventually did, and my ballooning +friends accepted my invitation to take dinner at +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 113]<a name="Page_113" id="Page_113"></a></span>the hotel with me, so that after my adventure of +the day I had a very pleasant evening. It was +not till the next morning that I discovered that +Aladdin's Lamp had vanished—had, in fact, +probably been stolen.</p> + +<p>There was nothing left to do now but to set +out for England, which I eventually reached; +and on arriving in London, and having the +stones which I had brought back in my pockets +valued, I found that there were many worthless +ones among them, and that the few good ones, +when sold, only realised sufficient to pay the +rather heavy expenses of my journey to and +from Baghdad, with a very little over for +myself to repay me for the loss of my time.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 114]<a name="Page_114" id="Page_114"></a></span></p> +<h2><a name="MYSTERY_NO_VIII" id="MYSTERY_NO_VIII"></a>MYSTERY NO. VIII</h2> + +<h3>SHIN SHIRA AND THE MAD BULL</h3> + + +<p>The Verrinder children were in a state of great +excitement and glee, for we were going to spend +the day at Burnham Beeches.</p> + +<p>The plan was to drive over in a wagonette +and have a picnic under the trees in the middle +of the day.</p> + +<p>Lionel was amongst the party, and Lady Betty, +a young friend of the Verrinders, so that we were +a merry crowd as we scrambled into the wagonette.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't matter about your being old," said +Fidge, snuggling up to me and catching hold of +my arm; "you're not like most grown-ups, and +don't mind us larking about a bit."</p> + +<p>"I hope not," I said smilingly.</p> + +<p>"Besides, he isn't old," chimed in Lady Betty, +"at least not very," she qualified. "He hasn't +even got a beard, and if he wasn't a little bit +grown-up he couldn't afford to take us about," +she added practically.</p> + +<p>"I expect we'll have some jolly decent grub," +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 115]<a name="Page_115" id="Page_115"></a></span>I heard Dick whisper to Lionel. "Mrs. Putchy +makes ripping pastry. I know, because we +used to stay at his place sometimes before you +came."</p> + +<p>Marjorie looked up from her book and smiled +and nodded across at me. "It's lovely," she +said, as we drove along. "We're going to have +a perfectly splendid day."</p> + +<p>We were sitting three aside, and there was just +comfortable room for us; and when we had got +well into the country I began to tell the younger +ones, Fidge and Lady Betty, a story. Marjorie +closed her book too and leaned forward to listen, +but the two big boys, evidently considering it +<i>infra dig</i>. to listen to anything so childish, were +eagerly comparing school experiences. Dick was +at Harrow and Lionel at Marlborough, so they +had a lot to talk about.</p> + +<p>Presently, in the middle of my story, Marjorie +called out, without looking up, "Move further +along, Dick, don't crowd so."</p> + +<p>"I'm not!" retorted Dick, "it's you. I +can't move any further without crowding Lionel +out of the trap."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's this cushion," cried Marjorie, turning +about and trying to remove what looked at first +like a yellow silk cushion beside her.</p> + +<p>It was evidently too heavy though, and she +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 116]<a name="Page_116" id="Page_116"></a></span>gave a start as she touched it. "Why!" she +exclaimed, "it's got something alive in it!"</p> + +<p>We all turned around to see what she meant, +and at once I knew that it was Shin Shira +appearing.</p> + +<p>"Oh, jolly!" cried all the children but Lionel, +when I explained to them what was happening.</p> + +<p>"It's all very well, and he's good fun and all +that," said my young cousin, "but if you'd had +the experience that I had with his old Magic +Carpet, you'd be very careful not to have much +to do with him—he's rather dangerous."</p> + +<p>"But think of the adventures you have with +him," said Dick enviously. "I wouldn't funk +it if he asked me to go anywhere with him."</p> + +<p>"Who's funking it?" demanded Lionel +angrily.</p> + +<p>"Well, <i>you</i> didn't seem to have much desire +to repeat your experiences, my friend," laughed +Shin Shira. "My head and ears just happened +to arrive in time for me to gather that."</p> + +<p>Lionel turned very red. "Oh well, sir, I did +have rather a rough time on the Magic Carpet, +you know."</p> + +<p>"So you did, so you did," agreed Shin Shira, +amiably beaming on us all. "And where +may all you young people be off to this fine +day?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 117]<a name="Page_117" id="Page_117"></a></span>"We're having a picnic," said Lady Betty +shyly.</p> + +<p>"Going to have, you mean," corrected Fidge. +"It isn't a picnic till you begin to eat, you know."</p> + +<p>"Would you mind if I joined you?" asked the +Yellow Dwarf, appealing to me.</p> + +<p>"Well, it strikes me that you have done so," +I laughed; "but we shall be delighted with your +company if you care to stay."</p> + +<p>"That's all right then," said Shin Shira, +settling down comfortably; "there's nothing I +should like better this warm day," and he took +off his turban and rubbed his little bald head with +a yellow silk handkerchief.</p> + +<p>The sight of the jewel in it reminded him to +ask me what became of the two bags of diamonds +he left in the basket of the balloon when he +disappeared on our way back to Baghdad.</p> + +<p>I told him what had happened, and how I had +lost all of mine except the few almost worthless +ones which I had put in my pocket.</p> + +<p>"I was rather more fortunate," said Shin +Shira, "for amongst those which I saved were +one or two very valuable ones, and several more +which I can sell at a very good price when it +becomes necessary."</p> + +<p>"But I thought you could have whatever you +wished for?" said Dick.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 118]<a name="Page_118" id="Page_118"></a></span>"Oh no," replied the Dwarf, "not money, you +know—almost anything else, but not money, +because, you see, it wouldn't be legal to make +money, and I can tell you I have often found it +very awkward to have appeared in a strange +place with no money at all in my pocket. I have +indeed once or twice almost been tempted to sell +even the jewel which the Princess gave me. +Now fortunately that will never be necessary."</p> + +<p>"What part of Burnham Beeches do you wish +me to drive to, sir?" asked the coachman at this +moment; "we're just coming to the village."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you'd better put the horses up at the +stables, and get a man to help you with the +hampers, and we'll walk on to the wood. You +know where I generally have luncheon."</p> + +<p>"Very well, sir!" said the man, touching his +hat with his whip and stopping at the old-fashioned +inn in the village.</p> + +<p>We were all very glad to stretch our legs after +the long ride, and having had some lemonade and +fruit at a little shop in the High Street, we quite +enjoyed the walk up to the wood.</p> + +<p>Here under the trees in a beautiful spot we +sat down to wait for the men with the hampers.</p> + +<p>After waiting for some time with growing +impatience, our coachman turned up with a rueful +face.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 119]<a name="Page_119" id="Page_119"></a></span>"There ain't no hamper, sir," he said.</p> + +<p>"What?" I exclaimed. "No hamper! What +do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"There ain't no hamper in the trap, sir. I +didn't have it up in front, so I thought you had +it in with you. Do you think it's fallen out, +sir?"</p> + +<p>"By Jove, sir!" cried Lionel suddenly, "it's +my fault. You told me to see that the man put +the hampers on in front, and I clean forgot all +about it."</p> + +<p>If it hadn't been such a serious matter it would +have been highly amusing to watch the blank +dismay depicted on every face on hearing this +disastrous news.</p> + +<p>"What on earth are we to do?" exclaimed +Dick, with almost tragic concern.</p> + +<p>"There's only one thing to be done, I suppose," +said I resignedly, after sending the man away; +"we shall have to return to the village and have +our luncheon at the inn."</p> + +<p>"It won't be a picnic at all then," pouted Lady +Betty ruefully.</p> + +<p>Shin Shira was the only one who did not seem +distressed about the matter. He had seated +himself cross-legged on the ground under one +of the old Beeches, and was slowly turning over +the leaves of the little yellow book fastened to his +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 120]<a name="Page_120" id="Page_120"></a></span>belt with a golden chain, which he always +wore.</p> + +<p>"I think I can be of some assistance to you +here," said he, getting up after a time and coming +towards me. "Has anybody some paper and a +pencil?"</p> + + +<div class="figleft"><img src="./images/illus-120.png" width="280" height="377" +title="Slowly turning over the leaves of the little yellow book." +alt="Illustration: Slowly turning over the leaves of the little yellow book" /> +</div> + +<p>This seemed a +strange request at +such a moment, +but between us we +managed to find +what he asked for.</p> + +<p>The Dwarf suddenly +tore the +paper into seven +parts, handing us +each one and keeping +one for himself.</p> + +<p>"Now," said he, +"each of you write +on the piece of +paper the name of +something you would wish for luncheon."</p> + +<p>He handed me the pencil first, and just for +fun I wrote "Lobster salad."</p> + +<p>Marjorie wrote "Game pie."</p> + +<p>Dick thought that "Pies and tarts and plenty +of them" was a suitable thing to ask for.</p> + +<p> +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 121]<a name="Page_121" id="Page_121"></a></span> +Lionel could imagine nothing more to be +desired than "Ham and tongue sandwiches."</p> + +<p>Lady Betty wanted "Fruit and nuts," and +Fidge, after various painful attempts, wrote +"Something nice to drink."</p> + +<p>Shin Shira read them out one by one.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said, "they're all very well, but +how are you going to eat them when you have +got them? Now you see what I wish for," and +he carefully wrote on his slip of paper, "Tablecloth, +serviettes, plates, dishes, knives, forks, +spoons, salt, pepper, mustard, oil, vinegar, glasses +and a corkscrew." "There!" he exclaimed, +"I think that will put us right. Now watch +carefully. You see there is no deception!" +and he laughingly rolled up his sleeves like a +professional conjurer.</p> + +<p>He placed the paper upon which he had written +his list into his turban, shaking it violently.</p> + +<p>To our surprise, in a few seconds it sounded as +though there was something in it, and an instant +later he drew forth from it a neatly folded snow-white +tablecloth, the serviettes, spoons, forks, +and in fact all the articles which he had +named.</p> + +<p>He set the children to work laying the cloth, +while he placed the other lists in his turban, and +in turn, beginning with a deliciously fresh-looking +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 122]<a name="Page_122" id="Page_122"></a></span>lobster salad, and a large game pie, he brought +forth every one of the good things which had +been wished for.</p> + +<p>Fidge's "something nice to drink" turned out +to be bottles of lemonade, milk, soda water, and +a bottle of wine for the grown-ups.</p> + +<p>A more delicious feast it would be impossible +to imagine.</p> + +<p>We were just sitting down to enjoy it, and I +had stuck the knife and fork into the game pie, +when Marjorie sprang up with a little scream, +brushing something from her face.</p> + +<p>"Ough! a horrid caterpillar!" she cried.</p> + +<p>"And here's another!" declared Fidge, +knocking one from his coat.</p> + +<p>"And an earwig!" exclaimed Dick, picking +one up from the cloth.</p> + +<p>"Oh! and spiders!" screamed Lady Betty, +jumping up and shaking her frock.</p> + +<p>"Dear! dear! this will never do!" I said, +for the place was swarming with insects, owing to +the very dry summer which we had had.</p> + +<p>"There ought to be a marquee like we had at +the choir treat," said Fidge.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I vote we get on with the grub," said +Dick greedily. "The insects won't kill us."</p> + +<p>"No, but a marquee would certainly be more +comfortable," said Shin Shira. "Come into +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 123]<a name="Page_123" id="Page_123"></a></span>the meadow just over there, and I'll see if I can +provide one."</p> + +<p>Leaving Lionel to guard our feast, the rest of +us all trailed after him, over the fence into the +meadow, which was carpeted with soft long +grass.</p> + +<p>"The only thing is, I can't exactly remember +what a marquee is like," he said. "Think, my +dear boy, what the one was like which you had +in your mind."</p> + +<p>"Why, it had four poles, one at each corner," +said Fidge, "and some iron things connecting +them at the top, and it was covered all over and +round the sides with some stripey stuff. Then +there were ropes and things, and pegs driven +into the ground to tie the poles to, and a trestle +table and two long forms each side. That's all. +Oh, yes, and Piggott & Son, Tentmakers, was +written in big letters on the stripey stuff."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Shin Shira, "I think I shall be +able to imagine it sufficiently well now. I'll +try," and after consulting his little yellow book +again for instructions, he called for a stick, which +the boys soon cut from the hedge, and marked out +a large square space in the meadow; and then, +using some magic words, he waved the stick +three times, and there stood the very marquee +which Fidge had described, even to the words +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 124]<a name="Page_124" id="Page_124"></a></span>Piggott & Son, Tentmakers, on the canvas +covering.</p> + +<p>"Now go and bring the luncheon, children, +and we'll try again," said Shin Shira, in a rare +good humour with himself (the little fellow +was evidently delighted to find that his fairy +powers were acting so well to-day); and soon we +were seated around the table, which, I must +confess, I found a more comfortable way of +enjoying my luncheon.</p> + +<p>To say that we did full justice to the good +things provided, is but mildly describing the way +the food disappeared.</p> + +<p>The two elder boys in particular seemed as +though they would never leave off, but at last +we settled down comfortably to the fruit and nuts, +and were just discussing what we should do +with the marquee and its contents, when we +suddenly all started to our feet in alarm.</p> + +<p>A loud bellowing, combined with a dull sound +of galloping hoofs, told us that something was +coming our way.</p> + +<p>I rushed to the door and looked out.</p> + +<p>"Good heavens! A mad bull!" I cried, +"tearing this way at a furious pace."</p> + +<p>Shin Shira sprang to the opening.</p> + +<p>"I'll attract him in another direction, and +while he is after me you all escape over the +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 125]<a name="Page_125" id="Page_125"></a></span>fence," he cried hurriedly, and snatching a red +silk handkerchief from Lionel's pocket, he rushed +out into the open.</p> + +<p>The bull paused, and though I frantically +shouted to Shin Shira to come back, the brave +little fellow flourished the red handkerchief to +attract the creature's attention. With a bellow +of anger the infuriated animal, holding his head +down, tore after the Dwarf, who ran with surprising +swiftness in the opposite direction to the +marquee.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="./images/illus-125.png" width="590" height="323" +title="The Dwarf ran with surprising swiftness in the opposite direction" +alt="The Dwarf ran with surprising swiftness in the opposite direction" /></div> +<p>"Now children, quickly!" I cried, catching +Lady Betty by the hand, and we all made for +the fence as quickly as possible.</p> + +<p>We were no sooner in safety than we turned to +see how our gallant little friend was faring.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 126]<a name="Page_126" id="Page_126"></a></span>The yellow figure, still waving the red handkerchief, +was running ahead of the bull, but +to our great distress we could see that the beast +was gaining on him.</p> + +<p>"Oh dear! he'll never reach the other side in +time," cried Marjorie, hiding her eyes in her +hands and sinking to the ground in a panic of +fear and fright.</p> + +<p>Presently the boys gave an excited shout—"Hurrah! +Bravo!" they cried, jumping from the +fence and skipping about, tossing their caps into +the air in an excess of relief. I sat down beside +Marjorie and explained to her what had happened.</p> + +<p>The bull was rapidly gaining on Shin Shira +and the little fellow was becoming exhausted, +when, by a happy chance, at that very moment +he began to disappear, and before the bull could +reach him he had vanished altogether.</p> + +<p>The bull was rushing frantically about, bellowing +and snorting and looking in vain for him, and +at last, turning his attention to the marquee, he +dashed into it, ripping up the canvas and overturning +the table, smashing the dishes, and +altogether making a most terrific commotion.</p> + +<p>Now that we were all safe we could make light +of the loss of the marquee and its contents, and +could even smile at the quaint remark of Lady +Betty when she said solemnly——</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 127]<a name="Page_127" id="Page_127"></a></span>"In future I shall prefer to picnic where there +are spiders, instead of where mad bulls are about. +In fact, I shall rather like spiders after this: +they're so gentle and don't bellow at all."</p> + +<p>The boys were still watching the havoc which +the bull was creating, when they noticed a man +walking towards us beside the fence.</p> + +<p>He was a big, burly farmer and looked very +angry.</p> + +<p>"Now then," he cried, in a surly voice, "what +do you mean by all this?"</p> + +<p>"I don't understand you," I answered.</p> + +<p>"I speak plain English, don't I?" he said. +"Wasn't it you that's been trampling in my long +grass, and building tents and what not on private +property? I'll learn you that I won't have no +strangers in my meadows, I can tell ye."</p> + +<p>"I'm very sorry if I've done any harm," said +I, "and I'm sure if—"</p> + +<p>"<i>If</i> you've done any harm!" shouted the +farmer. "Look at all that long grass trampled +down all over the meadow."</p> + +<p>"Yes," I interrupted, "but it was your bull +which did that."</p> + +<p>"He wouldn't have done it if you hadn't +teased him," said the farmer obstinately. "I +saw one of you myself teasing him with a red +rag and making him furious. I'm not going to +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 128]<a name="Page_128" id="Page_128"></a></span>have any of it. Off you come with me to the +police station."</p> + +<p>"No, no, I can't do that," I cried in alarm; +"I have these children with me."</p> + +<p>"People shouldn't take children out if they +can't do without getting into mischief," grumbled +the farmer. "No, you come along of me," and +he caught hold of my arm.</p> + +<p>"I'll give you my card," I said, "and if you +have any serious complaint to make you can +write to me."</p> + +<p>"Aye, a likely story; and when I write to you, +as likely as not I'll find you've given me a wrong +address."</p> + +<p>"Come back with me then to the inn: they +know me there and will tell you whether or no +the address is a correct one."</p> + +<p>The old farmer was gradually persuaded to this +course, though he grumbled all the way there that +I ought to be "locked up," while the children, +thoroughly subdued, walked in silence behind +us.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to pay a pretty penny for +damages," said he warningly, when he had +satisfied himself at the inn that I was known as +"a gentleman who often drove over there in the +summer, and always paid for what he had."</p> + +<p>I assured him that he should have what was +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 129]<a name="Page_129" id="Page_129"></a></span>just, and when he had gone I ordered tea in the +arbour at the end of the old-fashioned garden, +and over it we forgot the unfortunate, but +exciting, termination to our picnic.</p> + +<p>We arrived home quite safely. Sure enough, +a few days afterwards I received a preposterous +claim for damage to the farmer's grass, +which I left my solicitor to deal with; and more +extraordinary still, I had a claim from Messrs. +Piggott & Son for damages to a tent, which they +"could not trace as having been hired to me, but +which I must have hired at some time or another, +since it bore their name marked as they only +marked their tents let out on hire."</p> + +<p>This letter also went to my solicitor, and to this +day I've heard nothing further about either +matter.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 130]<a name="Page_130" id="Page_130"></a></span></p> +<h2><a name="MYSTERY_NO_IX" id="MYSTERY_NO_IX"></a>MYSTERY NO. IX</h2> + +<h3>SHIN SHIRA AND THE QUEEN OF HEARTS</h3> + + +<p>It was many months after this last adventure +before I saw my friend Shin Shira again.</p> + +<p>The summer was past, and it was the time of +fires and warm drawn curtains. One evening, +after dinner, I was sitting alone in my study, +puzzling over a chess problem, when the servant +brought me a card on which I read—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"<span class="smcap">Dr. Shin Shira Scaramanga Manousa Yama +Hawa.</span>"</p> +</div> + +<p>"Oh!" I laughed, "show him in at once, +please." For I had been longing for an opportunity +of thanking the gallant little fellow for the +bravery he had shown in the matter of the mad +bull—a bravery to which some of us, at all events, +probably owed our lives.</p> + +<p>"Come in, come in! Delighted to see you!" +I cried, getting up and making him comfortable +in "the Toad," the chair which I know he likes +best. I got out the tobacco jar, and we were +soon chatting comfortably over our pipes.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 131]<a name="Page_131" id="Page_131"></a></span>"By the way," I said, picking up his card +again and looking at it, when we had exhausted +most of the topics of conversation which came +to our minds, "I didn't know before that you +were a doctor."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't practise, and I seldom use the +title except on my cards. It was given to me +by the King of Hearts very many years ago. +Ha-ha-ha!" And Shin Shira laughed heartily +at what was evidently a humorous recollection.</p> + +<p>"Won't you tell me about it, please?" said I.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied the Dwarf, "that +there is much to tell.</p> + +<p>"It was while I was travelling round the world +in my earlier days, and I had come, in the course +of my wanderings, upon the country ruled over +by the King of Hearts and his most charming +Queen.</p> + +<p>"Talk about turtle-doves! I had never seen +such a perfectly devoted couple before in my life. +They were like a pair of happy lovers, although +they must have been married several years before +I knew them.</p> + +<p>"I happened to appear at their Majesties' +dinner-table one evening when they were dining +alone, just as dinner was being served.</p> + +<p>"Of course they were greatly astonished at +seeing me suddenly appear in their presence, +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 132]<a name="Page_132" id="Page_132"></a></span>especially as I arrived at a particularly awkward +moment, when, the servants being busy with the +dishes and having their backs turned, the King +was squeezing her Majesty's hand under the +table, and looking lovingly into her eyes.</p> + +<p>"The King turned to the Lord Chief Butler, +when that official returned, and looking at me +curiously, said, 'It's very thoughtless of me, +but I do not remember that I invited any guests +for this evening.'</p> + +<p>"'I had heard nothing of it either, your +Majesty,' said the Lord Chief Butler, pursing +up his lips and looking at me severely. 'Shall +I request the Lord High Footman and the Lord +Under Footman to remove the person?'</p> + +<p>"'By no means,' said the King kindly; 'I +will ask him myself what brings him here.'</p> + +<p>"'It was a matter of compulsion, rather than +of inclination, your Majesty,' said I. And I +explained as well as I was able the curious affliction +from which I suffer, of having to appear and +disappear at the fairies' pleasure.</p> + +<p>"'Most interesting—most!' said the Queen, +smiling sweetly, 'and we should be most inhospitable +if we did not make you welcome here +for so long as the fairies will spare you to us.'</p> + +<p>"This gracious speech, and the Queen's beauty, +quite won my heart, and putting my hand on my +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 133]<a name="Page_133" id="Page_133"></a></span>heart, I bowed in the most graceful manner that +I could command.</p> + +<p>"The Lord Chief Butler, seeing that I was in +favour with their Majesties, now brought me a +plate, and some glasses, and waited upon me +most obsequiously.</p> + +<p>"'Tarts, my lord!' he announced, handing +me a silver dish on which were piled some rather +stodgy-looking jam affairs.</p> + +<p>"'No thank you,' I replied.</p> + +<p>"The man looked horrified, and the King and +Queen greatly embarrassed by my refusal. 'Er—tarts—er—your +Highness,—er—her Majesty's +own make,' whispered the Lord Chief Butler.</p> + +<p>"'Oh, then by all means I will change my +mind,' said I gallantly, and I took two of the +tarts on my plate, while the King and Queen +looked on approvingly.</p> + +<p>"I can safely say that in all my wanderings, +through all these years, I have never before or +since tasted such exceedingly unpleasant tarts.</p> + +<p>"I hesitate to say more, out of respect to the +most beautiful and gracious Queen who ever +lived, but I could say a great deal.</p> + +<p>"However, I managed to get through them, +even to the bitter end, and had the satisfaction +of seeing her Majesty look greatly delighted.</p> + +<p>"'I really must have another one, my love,' +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 134]<a name="Page_134" id="Page_134"></a></span>declared the King; 'they are most delicious, +made as they were by your own royal and beautiful +hands.'</p> + +<p>"'No—no—dearest,' smiled the Queen, her +pride in her pastry battling with her consideration +for her husband's health, 'you have already +had two.'</p> + +<p>"'Perhaps, my darling, you are right,' replied +the King, with a sigh of relief, and hurriedly +motioning to the Lord Chief Butler to remove +his plate.</p> + +<p>"'Perhaps our guest, though—' began the +Queen sweetly.</p> + +<p>"'No—no—thank you, your Majesty,' I +hastened to say. 'I never—<i>never</i>—by any chance +indulge in more than two, under doctor's strict +orders.'</p> + +<p>"'Very well then,' said her Majesty, 'we +will have dessert.'</p> + +<p>"The rest of the dinner was uneventful, and +I was more and more impressed as the time went +on with the gracious and simple bearing of the +exalted personages of whom I was an uninvited +guest.</p> + +<p>"At last her Majesty rose, gave me a bow, +and was led with old-fashioned courtesy by his +Majesty to the door, which was thrown open by +the servants, and the King and I were left alone to +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 135]<a name="Page_135" id="Page_135"></a></span>our coffee and cigars. After we had talked on +various subjects for some time, I ventured to +express my admiration of, and devotion to, the +gracious lady who had just left us, and the King's +eyes sparkled with delight.</p> + +<p>"'You may well admire her, sir; she is rightly +beloved for her graciousness and beauty from +one end of my kingdom to the other, and her +thoughtfulness and kindness to myself are beyond +expression.</p> + +<p>"'I <i>must</i> tell you of a little incident (which you +have just shared in) to prove to you how wholly +devoted she is to my interests.</p> + +<p>"'I have, as many other royal personages have +at times, some difficulty in regulating my affairs +so as to make both ends meet comfortably.</p> + +<p>"'Her Majesty knew of this, and immediately +began to take cooking lessons with a view to +cooking for us when we are alone, and thus saving +expenses in the kitchen. The tarts you tasted +to-day are her Majesty's first attempt.'</p> + +<p>"'R-eally!' I murmured, seeing that the King +paused as though he expected me to say something.</p> + +<p>"'Yes,' continued his Majesty, 'and to-morrow +she has made me promise to catch +her some blackbirds, with which to make a +pie.'</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 136]<a name="Page_136" id="Page_136"></a></span>"'Catch them?' I cried; 'why not shoot +them?'</p> + +<p>"'Oh! the Queen wouldn't think of letting +me do anything so cruel, she is <i>so</i> tender-hearted. +But you'll come with me to-morrow, and help +me to catch some, won't you?'</p> + +<p>"I assured his Majesty that unless I had +unfortunately to disappear before then, I should +be delighted, and we went up to join her Majesty +in the drawing-room.</p> + +<p>"We found the Queen surrounded by her +Maids of Honour, of whom some were sitting at +the tambour frames, others doing fine embroidery, +while two of their number were at the piano +playing and singing.</p> + +<p>"I was presented to these ladies, and, at the +Queen's request, related some of the extraordinary +adventures which, as you know, have, at +one time or another in my long career, befallen +me. The evening was quite a success, and I felt +that I had indeed fallen upon my feet in such +charming company.</p> + +<p>"At a moderately early hour we retired, and +in the morning, soon after breakfast, his Majesty +and I started on our expedition in quest of blackbirds +for the Queen's pie.</p> + +<p>"Her Majesty and the Maids of Honour +watched us start off from the balcony, and +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 137]<a name="Page_137" id="Page_137"></a></span>several retainers followed at a respectful distance, +carrying various bags and implements of +which I could not even imagine the uses.</p> + +<p>"When we had got some distance from the +Castle, his Majesty whispered to me confidentially +that he must confess that he didn't know much +about this sort of thing.</p> + +<p>"'Er—do you recommend—er—<i>salt</i> for blackbirds?' +he inquired anxiously.</p> + +<p>"'What for?' I asked.</p> + +<p>"'To put on their tails, you know,' said the +King. 'I have a recollection of hearing something, +somewhere, about catching birds by putting +salt on their tails. But perhaps that doesn't +refer to blackbirds?' he added.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't help smiling a little at the simple, +good-natured, inexperienced King, but suggested +immediately afterwards that some grain +scattered before and inside a sieve propped up +with a stick, to which some string was attached, +would probably be a more effectual way of catching +the birds.</p> + +<p>"'What a brilliant idea!' said the King. 'I'll +send the salt back and order some sieves, grain, +sticks and string, as you suggest. Is there +anything else?'</p> + +<p>"'Something to put the birds in if we catch +any, your Majesty,' said I. +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 138]<a name="Page_138" id="Page_138"></a></span>"'Oh! I've thought of that,' said the King, +'and have several baskets ready.'</p> + +<p>"The men were soon back with the sieves, and +I quickly rigged up two of them as traps; and +having baited them, I showed the King how to +hide and pull the string directly one of the birds +was under the sieve.</p> + +<p>"Fortunately, blackbirds seemed to abound in +that country, and there were soon several fluttering +about, pecking at and picking up the grain.</p> + +<p>"Presently, one got under my sieve, and +pulling the support away by the string, I was +fortunate enough to catch it. The King was +delighted, and the more so when a few minutes +afterwards he trapped two at once, in the same +manner.</p> + +<p>"After this, the 'sport,' if it could be called so, +became fast and furious, and ended in our catching +four-and-twenty birds between us.</p> + +<p>"This the King considered would be sufficient, +so we set off to the Castle again, the men bearing +the baskets in triumph before us.</p> + +<p>"'Oh! the dear, sweet little things!' cried +Her Majesty, when she was shown our captives, +'and how clever of you to have caught them all! +They'll make a perfectly lovely pie!' And she +set off in high glee to the kitchens, to try her +hand at the culinary art again.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><a name="Page_138a" id="Page_138a"></a><img src="./images/illus-138a.jpg" width="600" height="843" +alt="Illustration: This was carefully set before the King." +title="This was carefully set before the King." /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 139]<a name="Page_139" id="Page_139"></a></span>"The afternoon was spent in the beautiful +gardens surrounding the Castle, playing fives, +for which there was a specially built court, and +practising at archery, so that the time quickly +passed, till we were called in by the first dinner +gong.</p> + +<p>"The Maids of Honour, together with some of +the State Ministers, joined us at dinner, and I +could see that the Queen, though sweet and +gracious as ever, was very anxious as the dinner +proceeded.</p> + +<p>"Presently there was a flourish of trumpets +heard at the door, and two pages appeared, bearing +a silver salver upon which was an enormous +pie. This was carefully set before the King, and +his Majesty, after smiling at the Queen rather +nervously, put the knife into the crust and removed +a portion of it.</p> + +<p>"Immediately afterwards, there was a great +commotion heard from inside the pie, and first +one bird and then another began to sing, hopping +out of the pie and on to the table, evidently +delighted at regaining its liberty.</p> + +<p>"Finally, amid the breathless silence of all +about the table, they flew off through the open +window, and nothing was left but the crust.</p> + +<p>"The Queen sat back in her chair looking +half-triumphant and half-ashamed.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 140]<a name="Page_140" id="Page_140"></a></span>"'I'm afraid it isn't a very satisfactory pie, +from the eating point of view,' she faltered, +'but I <i>couldn't</i> have the poor pretty little things +killed, and so I put them in the dish alive, and +when the crust, which I baked separately, was +nearly cold, I cut a hole in the top, so that they +could breathe, and put it over them.'</p> + +<p>"'It does your heart much credit, my love,' +cried the King, 'and, the thought of cutting a +hole in the crust was a very kind one.'</p> + +<p>"And indeed, wherever and in whatever +country I have been since that time, many years +ago, and have related the story, the ladies of that +country have always made a hole in the top of +their pies, in honour of the beautiful and kind +Queen who first invented it.</p> + +<p>"I did not hear much more of the conversation +which followed this episode, for unfortunately, +just then, I felt myself disappearing, +and had only just time to incline my head respectfully +to the King and Queen before I had +vanished."</p> + +<p>"But," I remarked, when Shin Shira left off +speaking, "you haven't told me yet how you +came to get the title of 'Doctor.'"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's all part of the same story," said +Shin Shira, refilling his pipe; "it has a sequel. +About seven months after the events which I +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 141]<a name="Page_141" id="Page_141"></a></span>have narrated" (you'll have noticed that Shin +Shira loved using long words when he could), "I +found myself again in the same country, and I +thought I could not leave it without paying +my respects to the +amiable King and +Queen; so, one +fine afternoon, I +made my way up +to the Castle.</p> + +<div class="figright"><img src="./images/illus-141.png" width="311" height="450" +title="I found the King in his counting-house" +alt="I found the King in his counting-house" /></div> +<p>"I found the +King in his counting-house, +industriously +counting +out his money. He +left off when he saw +me, though, and +came forward to +greet me heartily.</p> + +<p>"'The Queen, +bless her! will be +as delighted to see +you as I am,' said +he; 'we'll go and find her. I fancy I know +where she is.'</p> + +<p>"He led the way at once to the parlour, +and there we found her Majesty looking sweet +and amiable as ever.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 142]<a name="Page_142" id="Page_142"></a></span>"She was rather confused at being discovered +in the act of eating some bread and honey.</p> + +<p>"'I am suffering from a very poor appetite,' +her Majesty explained, after she had made me +welcome, 'and have eaten nothing at all to-day, +and just now I fancied a little honey, for which +I have a great liking.'</p> + +<p>"'I hope your Majesty is not unwell, that your +appetite is so feeble?' I inquired with great +solicitation.</p> + +<p>"'Oh no!' replied the Queen, with an effort +at brightness; 'I'm a little worried, that's +all.'</p> + +<p>"'We're all worried, more or less,' chimed in +the King. '<i>You</i> remember that blackbird pie, +don't you?'</p> + +<p>"'Yes, your Majesty, of course I do,' said I, +smiling at the recollection.</p> + +<p>"'Well, those birds, the ones which were put +into it, have become very spiteful and dangerous. +They have taken to haunting the precincts of the +Castle, and attack the servants when they go +into the garden, particularly the laundry maids; +for, when they go into the garden to hang out +the clothes, they have to use both hands to do +so, and then these wretched birds fly down and +peck at their noses. One poor creature lost hers +altogether, with the result that all of the maids +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 143]<a name="Page_143" id="Page_143"></a></span>have given notice, and we can't get laundry +maids for love or money.'</p> + +<p>"'It's very trying,' said the Queen; 'the poor +King has to wear his things much longer than he +should, and I have a difficulty in even getting a +clean pocket-handkerchief.'</p> + +<p>"It was a curious difficulty to be in, certainly, +and I felt very anxious to help them if I could, +so I asked permission to be allowed to visit the +servants' hall, and talk to the maids on the +subject.</p> + +<p>"This was readily given, and I spoke to them +as earnestly as I could about their good Queen +and mistress, and how willing and eager they +ought to be to do everything they could for +her.</p> + +<p>"I could see that they felt this keenly themselves, +for some of them were in tears when I +spoke of the Queen's goodness to everybody +about her.</p> + +<p>"'B—but our precious noses, sir!' sobbed one +good-natured girl; 'we can't afford to lose them, +can we now?'</p> + +<p>"'No,' I said, 'but I have thought of a way +by which it will be quite safe for you to go into +the garden.</p> + +<p>"'Now, like good creatures, the first thing in the +morning, set to and get some laundry work done, +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 144]<a name="Page_144" id="Page_144"></a></span>and I'll go out and hang up some of the clothes, +and you'll see that the birds won't hurt me.'</p> + +<p>"They all agreed to this, and the good-natured +girl who had been crying said, 'I'll come with +you, if you like, and show you how to hang the +things up.'</p> + +<p>"'So you shall,' said I, and went up to my +room to make preparations for the morning.</p> + +<p>"It was quite simple. I sent for some coloured +wax, and having made a wooden model of a +nose, I made on it some little waxen cases which +could be worn over one's own nose, and <i>then</i>, if the +birds pecked at it, it wouldn't matter in the least.</p> + +<p>"In the morning, the wax cases were quite set +and hard, and when the maid and I went out to +hang up the clothes, it was great fun to see the +bewilderment of a large blackbird when he flew +away with the maid's false nose, and she calmly +stuck on another.</p> + +<p>"The birds soon gave up their evil ways after +that, but for some months, as a precaution, the +maids never ventured out without a nose protector.</p> + +<p>"It was for this useful invention that the King +of Hearts bestowed on me the title of 'Doctor +to His Majesty's Household.'"</p> + +<p>"H'm!" I remarked, when he had finished, +"it's a very remarkable story. I seem to have +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 145]<a name="Page_145" id="Page_145"></a></span>heard of some of the incidents before, somehow."</p> + +<p>"Very likely, very likely," said Shin Shira +"Well, I must be going now." And he shook +hands and went out by the door, in a sensible +way for once.</p> + +<p>As he went out of the house, I heard him singing +softly—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i0">"The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts</span><br /> +<span class="i2">All on a summer's day"—</span> +</div> + +<p>And then he changed his song to—</p> +<div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <span class="i0">"Sing a song of sixpence,</span><br /> + <span class="i2">A pocketful of rye,</span><br /> + <span class="i0">Four-and-twenty blackbirds</span><br /> + <span class="i2">Baked in a pie.</span><br /> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <span class="i0">The maid was in the garden</span><br /> + <span class="i2">Hanging out the clothes,</span><br /> + <span class="i0">And along came a blackbird</span><br /> + <span class="i2">And nipped off her nose."</span><br /> + </div> +</div> + +<p>And I remembered then why his story had +seemed so familiar.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 146]<a name="Page_146" id="Page_146"></a></span></p> +<h2><a name="MYSTERY_NO_X_AND_LAST" id="MYSTERY_NO_X_AND_LAST"></a>MYSTERY NO. X AND LAST</h2> + +<h3>SHIN SHIRA DISAPPEARS</h3> + + +<p>The day after my little friend had related to +me his experiences in the land of the King and +Queen of Hearts, I was surprised to receive a +portmanteau addressed to me, which, on my +opening it, I found to contain the little yellow +costume, including the turban with the diamond +ornament, which Shin Shira had always worn.</p> + +<p>There was no note enclosed, and I naturally +wondered very much what had occasioned this +strange parcel being sent to me.</p> + +<p>I had no means of communicating with Shin +Shira, and so had to wait with what patience I +could summon for an explanation from him.</p> + +<p>I had not long to wait, fortunately, for in the +afternoon of the same day the little fellow burst +in upon me, clothed in a frock coat, tall hat and +regulation costume of a gentleman in easy +circumstances.</p> + +<p>I must say he was not nearly such a picturesque +looking person as he had been in his Oriental +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 147]<a name="Page_147" id="Page_147"></a></span>dress. He threw himself into a chair and seemed +overflowing with news.</p> + +<p>"I've decided to settle down," he said breathlessly. +"I didn't tell you yesterday because +my arrangements were not quite completed, +but I've begun now, and I'm going to settle +down."</p> + +<p>"What <i>do</i> you mean?" I inquired, utterly +bewildered by my friend's abrupt statement.</p> + +<p>"Why," he began, "I'm tired of this constant +changing from one place to another; and as I've +not had to disappear now for some time, I've +come to the conclusion that the fairies have +overlooked the misdeeds of my ancestors and +are going to give me a rest. I've taken a house +in the highly respectable neighbourhood of Russell +Square, and I've furnished it by means of my +fairy powers with everything that is necessary; +besides this, I've realised the full value of all my +precious stones, except, of course, that which +the dear Princess gave me, and have opened a +banking account. There!" and the little fellow +sat back, evidently feeling quite exhausted by +his long speech and vainly searching for his little +fan, which, of course, was not there.</p> + +<p>I scarcely knew what to say to this surprising +statement, and waited for further developments +before replying. +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 148]<a name="Page_148" id="Page_148"></a></span>"I've engaged a housekeeper to look after me, +and two servants also; and—as you see—have +discarded my Oriental costume for one more +suitable to this country and climate; I sent you +my old costume and turban by a trustworthy +messenger this morning, having changed at my +tailor's into the attire in which you see me. I +hope it has arrived safely?"</p> + +<p>I assured him that it had, and sent for the +portmanteau in order that he might see for +himself.</p> + +<p>"That's all right, then," he said with a sigh +of relief; "and now I want to hand you this +blank cheque which I have signed, and, in case +I disappear, I want you to draw out the whole +amount standing to my account at the bank at +the time, so that I may be able to get it in case +I appear again. I have an idea that I shall +not have to undergo these changes many more +times. Of course, if I never come back, the +money will be yours, as I have no one else to +leave it to."</p> + +<p>I thanked him very heartily for the trust he +reposed in me, and assured him that his wishes +should be carried out to the letter.</p> + +<p>"That's all right, then!" he exclaimed in a +tone of satisfaction; "and now I want to arrange +for a nice little party at my new home to act as a +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 149]<a name="Page_149" id="Page_149"></a></span>kind of—er—home warming—I think you call it. +Ask the children and any of your friends who +know me, and, if you let me know beforehand +how many are coming, I will arrange for what, I +hope, will turn out to be a very enjoyable +evening."</p> + +<p>We fixed the date, and after my little friend +had gone, I wrote informally, as Shin Shira +wished, to as many of my friends as would be +likely to wish to come, to ask them to attend.</p> + +<p>Nearly everybody accepted—for the little +fellow was a great favourite with everybody who +knew him—and, as Shin Shira looked in every +day to know how the replies were coming +in, I was able to tell him in a few days that +we might expect from twenty to twenty-five +guests.</p> + +<p>From then till the date fixed Shin Shira was +very busy, and I only saw him once or twice, +and on the eventful day I did not see him +at all.</p> + +<p>The Verrinder children were coming in the +carriage with me, and, according to arrangement, +we were the first to arrive.</p> + +<p>There was an awning at the door and a red +carpet laid down the steps and across the pavement; +the house was brilliantly lighted, and +evidently grand preparations had been going on.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 150]<a name="Page_150" id="Page_150"></a></span>I hurried up the steps, followed by Marjorie, +Dick and Fidge.</p> + +<p>The servant who stood at the open door, and +who knew me by sight, was looking very anxious, +and whispered, "The housekeeper would like to +speak to you at once in the dining-room, sir."</p> + +<p>"Anything the matter?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, the master—he—he can't be found," +said the man.</p> + +<p>I hurried down to the dining-room, and found +the housekeeper in her best black silk dress, +looking even more distressed than the manservant +had been.</p> + +<p>"The master, sir," she began at once when I +entered the room. "Whatever <i>is</i> to be done? +He can't be found anywhere—and the guests +beginning to arrive—"</p> + +<p>"Never mind," said I, after thinking a moment. +"I've no doubt he'll be here presently—and, in +the meantime, as I know most if not all of the +guests, I'll receive them, and explain that he has +probably been called away and will no doubt be +back presently."</p> + +<p>I hurried up into the drawing-room, and found +that by this time several guests had arrived, and +were looking greatly surprised at finding no host +to receive them.</p> + +<p>I apologised for my friend as well as I was able, +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 151]<a name="Page_151" id="Page_151"></a></span>and pointed out that probably he would soon +return, and, in the meantime, he would doubtless +wish us to make ourselves at home.</p> + +<p>We found everything arranged for our comfort. +Professional singers gave an excellent concert +in the drawing-room—an excellent supper was +served downstairs.</p> + +<p>The children were not forgotten, and, while the +concert had been proceeding in the drawing-room, +an amusing entertainment was provided +for them in another room. Beside each plate +at supper, also, there was a little present, +chosen carefully, and our names written distinctly +on each.</p> + +<p>Everything was thoroughly well thought out +and provided for—but—there was no host to +receive our thanks and to bid us "good-bye" +when we went.</p> + +<p>The whole affair, therefore, though I naturally +did my best for my friend's sake to "keep things +going," concluded rather flatly, and I went home +after it was all over feeling not a little depressed +and anxious.</p> + +<p>I called the next day, and the day after, but +Shin Shira had not returned, nor had anything +been heard of, or from him.</p> + +<p>It was most mysterious, and I could only +account for it by the fact that the fairies may +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 152]<a name="Page_152" id="Page_152"></a></span>have, in fact <i>must</i> have, caused him to disappear +once more.</p> + +<p>The housekeeper told me, on my inquiring of +her, that he had been at home the whole of the +day on which the party had been held, superintending +all the arrangements, and had gone up +early to his room to dress, and from that time all +trace of him had been lost.</p> + +<p>I was very sorry, and the more so as days and +weeks flew by and nothing happened to give us +any clue as to his whereabouts.</p> + +<p>After a couple of months, I told the servants +that they had better seek other situations, and +when they had done so I let them go. I closed +the house, and waited for events.</p> + +<p>It must have been quite a year later when I +received the following letter—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div style="margin-left: 70%">"<i>Isle of San Sosta</i>, </div> +<div style="margin-left: 76%">"<i> South Pacific.</i></div> +<p> +<span class="smcap">"My dear Friend,</span><br /> +"I write once more to let you know +that I am again in great trouble, but this time +there is nothing in which you can help me, +though I know, in the goodness of your heart, +you would wish to do so if it were possible.</p> + +<p>"When, in accordance with the fairies' decree, +to which I must always most humbly bow, I was +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 153]<a name="Page_153" id="Page_153"></a></span>called upon to disappear at the very moment +when I was hoping to welcome my guests to my +newly established home, I found myself most +unexpectedly in this place.</p> + +<p>"It is an island very little known, and far out +of the beaten track of vessels.</p> + +<p>"Once a year, however, a trader calls, bringing +and taking letters and exchanging for the produce +of this place such necessities as we require from +more civilised lands.</p> + +<p>"The people of this country are very simple +and of primitive habits, so much so that it is the +custom here if a maiden remains unmarried after +a certain age, and becomes a burden to her +parents, to turn her out of the community, and +leave her to seek food for herself or starve in the +desert.</p> + +<p>"This cruel and unnatural law I have constantly +tried to get altered, and the King and +his advisers consent to do so only on one condition, +and that is, that I find a husband for the +only unmarried daughter of the King, who is at +present an outcast in the wilderness, being of +most uncomely appearance and greatly deformed.</p> + +<p>"I have been out into the wilderness to see the +poor creature myself. She is indeed in a pitiful +plight, being far from fair to look upon, and +gaunt and thin with exposure and suffering.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 154]<a name="Page_154" id="Page_154"></a></span>"I conversed with her and found her intelligent, +and patient under her great afflictions; in +fact, her sad case so touched my heart that, not +only for her sake, but for the sake of the other +unfortunate maidens who, unless this cruel law +is altered, may have to suffer a fate similar to +hers, I have decided to marry her myself, and +thus rescue her and others who may follow her.</p> + +<p>"I think of my sweet Princess and feel that +she would approve—for never shall I see her dear +face again—and in making this marriage she +would know I was inclined to it from pity and +not from any untruthfulness to her most dear +memory.</p> + +<p>"The stone she gave me I cannot bear to see +any more, and this I ask you to keep <i>until I claim +it again</i>; all my other goods and the money in +the bank I leave to you absolutely.</p> + +<p>"I feel that I may never see you again, and +if this be so, accept my hearty and devoted +thanks for all you have done for me. Think of +me sometimes and</p> + +<p> +"Believe me to be,<br /> +"Your friend always,<br /> +"<span class="smcap">Shin Shira Scaramanga Manousa Yama +Hawa.</span>" +</p> +</div> + +<p>I sat a long while after I had read this letter, +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 155]<a name="Page_155" id="Page_155"></a></span>thinking of all the strange happenings since I +had known my little friend.</p> + +<p>I had grown quite to love and respect him, and +when I thought of the noble and chivalrous deed +he intended performing in order to save the poor +creature in that far-off island, I felt that he was +indeed worthy of all admiration.</p> + +<p>I got down a map, and tried in vain to find the +island he mentioned. It was not marked in any +of those which I had by me.</p> + +<p>Then I found the portmanteau which Shin +Shira had left with me, and looked at the little +yellow costume, which reminded me so much of +my friend.</p> + +<p>In lifting it from the bag, something heavy +dropped from between the folds. It was the +Magic Crystal. I held it in my hand, and wished +I could see what Shin Shira was doing at that +moment. The thought had no sooner entered +my head than I gave an exclamation of surprise.</p> + +<p>A mist in which vague figures were moving +filled the crystal, and presently I could see distinctly +a large crowd of people gathered together. +A man and woman stood beneath a canopy—the +man I soon perceived was Shin Shira himself, +still clothed in the immaculate frock coat and +tall hat in which I had last seen him dressed. +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 156]<a name="Page_156" id="Page_156"></a></span>The woman was a poor, deformed thing and +pitifully plain—her gaudy dress and many jewels +but helped to point the contrast.</p> + +<p>Before them stood a priest, and at the side the +King, surrounded by his warriors. It was evidently +the celebration of a wedding, and the +ceremony was over, for the bridegroom led the +bride from under the canopy and knelt with her +before the King, who stretched out his hands as +though he were giving them his blessing—and +then, to my astonishment, a most marvellous +thing happened. A blaze of light flashed across +the scene, and a beautiful being, who I am +convinced was the Fairy Queen herself, floated +down from the heights above, accompanied by a +crowd of beings nearly as beautiful as herself. +She waved her wand three times, and the bride +became a beautiful Princess, and Shin Shira grew +tall, young and handsome in an instant.</p> + +<p>The King and his court gazed in amazement +at the scene, and the Princess fell into Shin Shira's +arms.</p> + +<p>The Fairy waved her wand again, and a bright +crown appeared on Shin Shira's head, in which +flashed a single stone of great brilliancy. At the +same instant the jewel vanished from the yellow +turban beside me.</p> + +<p>The crystal grew clear as the beautiful scene +<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 157]<a name="Page_157" id="Page_157"></a></span>faded away, and that was the last glimpse I ever +had of my little friend.</p> + +<p>I often think of him, and I like to imagine, as, +indeed, I believe to be the case, that the fairies +have restored to him his full powers, and that +the bride he had so unselfishly wedded turned +out to be the very Princess to whom he had +been faithful throughout his long life.</p> + +<p>It may be so—if the crystal spoke truly. Who +knows?</p> + + +<h3>THE END</h3> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Mysterious Shin Shira, by George Edward Farrow + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MYSTERIOUS SHIN SHIRA *** + +***** This file should be named 17843-h.htm or 17843-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/7/8/4/17843/ + +Produced by Malcolm Farmer and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Mysterious Shin Shira + +Author: George Edward Farrow + +Illustrator: W.G. Easton + +Release Date: February 24, 2006 [EBook #17843] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MYSTERIOUS SHIN SHIRA *** + + + + +Produced by Malcolm Farmer and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + +[Illustration: "A short distance beyond lay a terrible dragon."] + +[_See page 28._] + + + + + THE MYSTERIOUS SHIN SHIRA + + BY + + G.E. FARROW + + + AUTHOR OF + The WALLYPUG of WHY + + + [Illustration] + + ILLUSTRATED BY W.G. EASTON + + + LONDON + HENRY FROWDE + HODDER & STOUGHTON + + + + + + CONTENTS + + PAGE + + Mystery No. I + SHIN SHIRA APPEARS 9 + + Mystery No. II + SHIN SHIRA AND THE DRAGON 23 + + Mystery No. III + THE MAGIC CARPET 33 + + Mystery No. IV + SHIN SHIRA AND THE DUCHESS 50 + + Mystery No. V + SHIN SHIRA AND THE LAME DUCK 65 + + Mystery No. VI + SHIN SHIRA AND THE DIAMOND 81 + + Mystery No. VII + SHIN SHIRA AND THE ROC 98 + + Mystery No. VIII + SHIN SHIRA AND THE MAD BULL 114 + + Mystery No. IX + SHIN SHIRA AND THE QUEEN OF HEARTS 130 + + Mystery No. X and Last + SHIN SHIRA DISAPPEARS 146 + + + + + + LIST OF COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS + + + _To face page_ + + "A SHORT DISTANCE BEYOND LAY A TERRIBLE DRAGON" + (_See page 28_) _Frontispiece_ + + "THE EXECUTIONER IN HIS AGITATION DROPPED HIS AXE" 20 + + "WE FLOATED AWAY OVER THE ROOFS OF THE HOUSES" 38 + + "SHIN SHIRA PLACED THEM IN THE CRYSTAL BOWL" 58 + + "HIS PINIONS WERE STRONG AND MIGHTY" 108 + + "THIS WAS CAREFULLY SET BEFORE THE KING" 138 + + + + + +MYSTERY NO. I + +SHIN SHIRA APPEARS + + +It was very remarkable how I first came to make his acquaintance at all. +Shin Shira I mean. I had been sitting at my desk, writing, for quite a +long time, when suddenly I heard, as I thought, a noise in another part +of the room. I turned my head hastily and looked towards the door, but +it was fast closed and there was apparently nobody in the room but +myself. + +"Strange!" I murmured, looking about to try and discover what had caused +the sound, and then my eyes lighted, to my great surprise, upon a pair +of bright yellow morocco shoes with very long, pointed toes, standing on +the floor in front of a favourite little squat chair of mine which I +call "the Toad." + +I gazed at the yellow shoes in amazement, for they certainly did not +belong to me, and they had decidedly not been there a short time before, +for I had been sitting in the chair myself. + +I had just got up to examine them, when, to my utter astonishment, I saw +a pair of yellow stockings appearing above them; an instant later, a +little yellow body; and finally, the quaintest little head that I have +ever seen, surmounted by a yellow turban, in the front of which a large +jewel sparkled and shone. + +It was not the turban, however, but the face beneath it which claimed my +greatest attention, for the eyes were nearly starting out of the head +with fright, and the expression was one of the greatest anxiety. + +It gave way, however, to reassurance and content directly the little man +had given a hurried glance round the room, and he sank comfortably down +into "the Toad" with a sigh of relief. + +"Phew!" he exclaimed, drawing out a little yellow fan from his sleeve +and fanning himself vigorously, "that _was_ a narrow squeak! I really +don't think that I've been in such a tight corner before for two hundred +years at least." And he tucked his fan away again and beamed upon me +complacently. + +I was so astounded at the sudden appearance of this remarkable little +personage that for the moment I quite lost the use of my tongue; and in +the meantime my little visitor was glancing about the room with piercing +eyes that seemed to take in everything. + +"H'm!--writer, I suppose?" he said, nodding his head towards my desk, +which was as usual littered with papers. "What line? You don't look very +clever," and he glanced at me critically from under his bushy eyebrows. + +"I only write books for children," I answered, "and one doesn't have to +be very clever to do that." + +"Oh, children!" said the little Yellow Dwarf--as I had begun to call him +in my own mind. "No, you don't have to be _clever_, but you have to +be--er--by the way, do you write fairy stories?" he interrupted himself +to ask. + +"Sometimes," I answered. + +"Ah! then I can put you up to a thing or two. I'm partly a fairy +myself. + +"You see, it's this way," he went on hastily, seeing, I suppose, that +I looked somewhat surprised at this unexpected piece of information. +"Some hundreds of years ago--oh! ever so many--long before the present +Japanese Empire was founded, in fact, there was a man named Shin Shira +Scaramanga Manousa Yama Hawa----" + +"Good gracious!" I exclaimed. + +"Don't interrupt," said the little Yellow Dwarf, "it's rude, and +besides, you make me forget--I can't even think now what the rest of the +gentleman's name was--but anyhow, he was an ancestor of mine, and that +much of his name belongs to me." + +"How much?" I inquired. + +"Shin Shira Scaramanga Manousa Yama Hawa," repeated the Yellow Dwarf; +"but you needn't say it all," he added hastily, seeing, I suppose, that +I looked rather distressed, "Shin Shira will do; in fact, that's what I +am always called. Well, to continue. This ancestor of mine, part of +whose name I bear, did something or other to offend his +great-grandmother, who was a very influential sort of a fairy--I _could_ +tell you the whole story, but it's a very long one and I'll have to tell +you that another time--and she was so angry with him that she condemned +him to appear or disappear whenever she liked and at whatever time or +place that she chose, for ever." + +"For ever?" I inquired incredulously. + +"Why not?" asked Shin Shira. "Fairies, you know, are immortal, +and my ancestor had fairy blood in his veins. Well, to make a long +story short, the spell, or whatever you choose to call it, which his +great-grandmother cast over him, didn't work in him, nor in his son, nor +even in his grandson; but several hundreds of years afterwards _I_ was +born, and then it suddenly took effect, and I have always been afflicted +with the exceedingly uncomfortable misfortune of having to appear or +disappear whenever the old lady likes, and in whatever place she +chooses. + +"It's terribly awkward at times, for one minute I may be in China taking +tea with a Mandarin of the Blue Button, and have to disappear suddenly, +turning up a minute later in a first-class carriage on the Underground +Railway, greatly to the surprise and indignation of the passengers, +especially if it happens to be over-crowded without me, as it very +often is. + +"Not but what it has its advantages too," he added thoughtfully, "and +this very power of being able to disappear suddenly has just got me out +of a most serious dilemma." + +"Won't you tell me about it?" I inquired with considerable curiosity, +for I was beginning to be very interested in this singular little +person's account of himself. + +"With pleasure," said Shin Shira; and settling himself more comfortably +in "the Toad," resting his elbows on the arms of the chair, and placing +the tips of his fingers together, he told me the following story. + +"The very last place in which I appeared before turning up here, was in +the grounds of the Palace belonging to the Grand Panjandrum--" + +"Where is that situated, if you please?" I ventured to inquire. + +Shin Shira gave me a quick glance. + +"Do you mean to say that you actually don't even know where the land of +the Grand Panjandrum is?" he asked. "H'm! well," he continued as I shook +my head, "I remarked a short time ago that you didn't _look_ very +clever, but really, I couldn't have believed that you were so ignorant +as all that. You'd better look it up in your atlas when I am gone, I +can't bother to explain where it is now--but to resume my story. I +appeared there, as I said, and in the middle of the kitchen garden all +amongst the cabbages and beans. + +"I could at first see nobody about, but at last I heard somebody +singing, and presently came upon a man carrying a basket in which were +some cabbages that he had evidently just gathered. + +"Although he was singing so cheerfully, his head was bound up with a +handkerchief, and I could see that his face was badly swollen. + +"When he had come a little nearer, I bowed politely and inquired of him +what place it was, for my surroundings were quite strange to me, it +being my first visit to the neighbourhood. + +"He told me where I was, and explained that he was the Grand +Panjandrum's Chief Cook, and that he had been to gather cabbages to make +an apple pie with." + +I was about to ask how this was possible, when I caught Shin Shira's +eye, and I could see by the light in it that he was expecting me to make +some inquiry; but I was determined that he should not again have the +opportunity of remarking upon my ignorance, so I held my tongue and said +nothing, as though gathering cabbages in order to make an apple pie was +the most natural thing in the world to do. + +He waited for a moment and then continued-- + +"I stood talking to the man for some time, and at last I asked what was +the matter with his face. + +"'I've the toothache,' he said ruefully, 'and that's why I was singing; +I'm told that it's a capital remedy.' + +"'I'll see if I can't find a better one,' said I, taking up this little +book, which I always carry with me." And Shin Shira held out for my +inspection a tiny volume bound in yellow leather, with golden clasps, +which was attached to his girdle by a long golden chain. + +"This," he explained, "is a very remarkable book, and has been in our +family for many hundreds of years. It contains directions what to do in +any difficulty whatsoever, with the aid of the fairy power, which, as I +have told you, I inherit from my fairy ancestor. + +"The only difficulty is that, as I am partly a mortal, _sometimes_ +(owing perhaps to my fairy great-great-great-grandmother being in a bad +temper at the moment) the fairy spell refuses to work, and then I am +left in the lurch. + +"This time, however, it worked splendidly, for I had only to turn to the +word 'Toothache' to discover that the fairy remedy was to 'rub the +_other_ side of the face with a stinging nettle, and the pain and +swelling would instantly disappear.' + +"Fortunately there were plenty of nettles to be found in a neglected +corner of the garden, and I quickly applied the remedy, which worked, as +the saying is, 'like magic,' for the Grand Panjandrum's Chief Cook's +face resumed its normal size at once, and the pain vanished immediately. + +"It is needless to say that he was very grateful, and we were walking +back to the Palace, where he had just promised to regale me with some of +the choicest viands in his larder, when we met, coming towards us, a +most doleful-looking individual, clothed in black and wearing a most +woebegone visage. + +"'It's the Court Physician,' said the Cook; 'I wonder why he is looking +so melancholy. May I venture to ask, sir,' he inquired respectfully, +'the occasion of your sorrow?' + +"'I am to be executed to-morrow by the Grand Panjandrum's order,' said +the Court Physician dolefully, wiping a tear of self-pity from his eye. + +"The Chief Cook shrugged his shoulders. 'H'm!' said he, 'if _that's_ the +case, and His Supreme Importance has ordered your execution, nobody can +possibly prevent it, and there is nothing left but to grin and bear it.' + +"'No,' said the Court Physician indignantly. 'I may have to bear it, but +I shall _not_ grin. I absolutely refuse! They can't do more than kill +me, and I _won't_ grin, so there!' + +"The Chief Cook looked horrified. 'It's one of the laws of the land,' he +said, 'that whenever one suffers anything at the hands of the Grand +Panjandrum, one must grin and bear it; it's a most terrible offence not +to do so.' + +"'I don't care,' said the Court Physician recklessly, 'I shan't grin, +and there's an end of it.' + +"'Why are you sentenced to death?' I asked. + +"'His Supreme Importance, the Grand Panjandrum, has had the toothache +for three days, and I have been unable to subdue it without drawing the +tooth, which His Supreme Importance refuses to permit me to do, and in a +fit of temper yesterday he said that if he were not better to-day I +should be executed to-morrow--and it's worse.' + +"The Chief Cook looked at me delightedly. + +"'If _that's_ all,' he said, 'this gentleman, whose name I am +unfortunately unacquainted with, has a remedy which will soon get you +out of your trouble, and I shouldn't wonder if, after all, His Supreme +Importance's toothache were the means of raising us all to honour and +distinction;' and he proceeded to tell the Court Physician how I had +been successful in ridding _him_ of the toothache. + +"The Court Physician was greatly interested, and after I had read to him +the directions in the book, he suggested that he should take me to the +Palace at once and into the presence of the Grand Panjandrum. + +"'For no doubt the operation must be performed by yourself, since you +alone possess the fairy power,' said he. And so we made the best of our +way to the beautiful building which I could see in the distance. + +"I wish I could describe to you the magnificence of that marvellous +place. The jewelled windows and golden staircase; the wonderful velvety +carpets and silken hangings; the hundreds of silent servants dressed in +the beautiful royal livery of the Grand Panjandrum, who flitted about +executing immediately the slightest wish echoed in that wonderful place. + +"But it is sufficient to say that, after a lot of ceremony, I was at +last ushered into the presence of the Grand Panjandrum himself. + +"It is forbidden to anyone, under the most awful penalties, to describe +His Supreme Importance's appearance, so I cannot tell you what he was +like; but I found him suffering the most excruciating agony with the +toothache, and with his face even more swollen than the Chief Cook's had +been. + +"At a sign from the Court Physician I quickly prepared my nettle leaves, +which we had thought to gather on our way to the palace, and began to +rub them gently on the Grand Panjandrum's cheek, on the opposite side of +his face to that which was swollen. + +"To my horror and amazement, they had no effect whatever, except +immediately to raise a terrible rash upon His Supreme Importance's +cheek, and to cause him such pain that he called out angrily that it +was worse than the toothache itself. + +"I hurriedly and anxiously consulted my little book to see if by any +mischance I had failed in carrying out any of the directions; but no, +there it was in black and white--'rub the _other_ side with a stinging +nettle.' + +"I showed it to the Court Physician, and he said-- + +"'Try the "other" side, then: you've rubbed one side, try the other.' + +"So in fear and trembling I begged His Supreme Importance's permission +to apply the remedy to his other cheek, and after some demur he agreed, +but making it a condition that if it failed to act I was to be +immediately beheaded. + +"You may imagine with what anxiety I awaited the result of my +experiment, and how carefully I rubbed the nettles on. + +"It was all in vain: the rash spread under the nettles and the swelling +grew greater than ever--evidently my fairy power refused to work--and +the Grand Panjandrum was in a fearful rage. + +"'Fetch the Executioner!' he cried, in terrible tones. 'I will see this +impostor executed before my eyes!' And twenty slaves flew to obey his +command. + +"'Grin!' whispered the Court Physician behind his hand, 'grin and bear +it; it's the only thing to be done.' + +[Illustration: "The Executioner in his agitation dropped his axe."] + +"I gave him a wrathful glance, and was about to speak, when at a sign +from the Grand Panjandrum, two powerful slaves sprang forward and bound +and gagged me. + +"There was a sound of approaching footsteps, and from another entrance +the Executioner appeared, followed by some slaves carrying the block. + +"I thought my last moment had arrived, but just then, to my intense +delight, I felt a curious sensation, which told me that I was about to +disappear. + +"My feet went first (this is not always the case), and then my legs, and +I could see the amazement with which the Grand Panjandrum and all the +assembled company were regarding the, to them, extraordinary phenomenon. + +"The Executioner in his agitation dropped his axe, and stood +open-mouthed regarding what was left of me; and, although I was rather +anxious lest they should make an attempt to chop off my head before it +finally disappeared, I managed despite my gag to 'grin' in the Grand +Panjandrum's face, and an instant later I found myself here." + +Shin Shira, having finished his story, drew his little fan from his +sleeve and sat fanning himself with great composure, while he regarded +my doubtless astonished face with considerable amusement. + +"I--I'll put that story down at once, if you don't mind," I stammered, +hurrying to my desk and getting out some papers. + +The drawer stuck, and it was some seconds before I could get it open, +and when I turned round again, to my great dismay, Shin Shira had almost +disappeared. + +The little yellow shoes were still there and part of a stocking, but +even as I watched them they too disappeared, the long pointed toes of +the shoes waggling a kind of farewell--or so I thought--and my strange +little visitor had vanished. + + + + +MYSTERY NO. II + +SHIN SHIRA AND THE DRAGON + + +It was during my holidays in Cornwall that I next met Shin Shira. + +I had ridden by motor-car from Helston to the Lizard, and after +scrambling over rugged cliffs for some time, following the white stones +put by the coastguards to mark the way, I found myself at last at the +most beautiful little bay imaginable, called Kynance Cove. + +The tide was low, and from the glittering white sands, tall jagged rocks +rose up, covered with coloured seaweed; which, together with the deep +blue and green of the sky and sea, made a perfect feast of colour for +the eyes. + +On the shore I met an amiable young guide, who, for sixpence, undertook +to show me some caves in the rocks which are not generally discovered by +visitors. + +They were very fine caves, one of them being called The Princess's +Parlour; and while we were exploring this, I suddenly heard a roar as of +some mighty animal in terrible pain. + +I turned to the guide with, I expect, rather a white face, for an +explanation. + +He smiled at my alarm, however, and told me that it was "only the +Bellows," and suggested a visit to the spot whence the sound proceeded. + +We scrambled out of the cave and descended to the sands again, and +passing behind a tall rock called The Tower, we saw a curious sight. + +From between two enormous boulders came at intervals a great cloud of +fine spray, which puffed up into the air for about twenty feet, +accompanied by the roaring noise that I had previously noticed. My young +guide explained to me that the noise and the spray were caused by the +air in the hollow between the two boulders being forcibly expelled +through a narrow slit in the rocks as each wave of the incoming tide +entered. Having made this quite clear to me, he took his departure, +warning me not to remain too long on the sands, as the tide was coming +in rather rapidly. + +I sat for some time alone on the rocks, gazing with fascinated interest +at the curious effect produced by the clouds of spray coming from "the +Bellows," and was at last just turning to go when I started in surprise, +for there, sitting on another rock just behind me, was the little Yellow +Dwarf, Shin Shira, energetically fanning himself with the little yellow +fan which I had noticed at our previous meeting. + +"Oh! it's you, is it?" he remarked, when he caught sight of my face. "I +thought I recognised the back view; you see it was the last I saw of you +when I paid you that visit in your study." + +"And disappeared so very suddenly," I answered, going up and offering my +hand, for I was very pleased to see the little man again. + +[Illustration] + +"I was _obliged_ to. You know of my unfortunate affliction in having to +appear or disappear whenever my fairy great-great-great-grandmother +wishes. _He's_ safe enough, isn't he?" he added, inconsequently nodding +his head towards "the Bellows." + +"Who is? What do you mean?" I inquired. + +"The dragon, of course," said Shin Shira. + +"The dragon!" I exclaimed. + +"Certainly--you know that there's a dragon imprisoned behind those +rocks, don't you?" + +I laughed. + +"No," I said, "although I must admit that I was at first inclined to +think that something of the sort was concealed there. I've had it all +explained to me, though," and I proceeded to inform him of what the +guide had told me concerning the matter. + +"Pooh! Rubbish! He doesn't know what he's talking about," said Shin +Shira contemptuously; "I'll tell you the real story of those rocks as it +occurred, let's see--about eight or nine hundred years ago. I remember +it quite well, for it was one of those occasions when I was _most_ +distressed at having to disappear at what was for me the very worst +possible moment." + +I settled myself comfortably on the rocks beside Shin Shira and prepared +to listen with great interest. + +"Let's think for a moment," said the little Yellow Dwarf, looking about +him. + +"It began--oh, yes! I know now. In that cave over yonder--I was eight +or nine hundred years younger then, and a very warm-blooded and +impressionable young fellow at that time; and I can remember being +struck with the extreme beauty of the charming Princess whom I +discovered in tears there when I suddenly appeared. + +"The cave itself was hung about with the most beautiful silken curtains +and tapestries, and on the floor were spread rugs and carpets and +cushions of Oriental magnificence. Tiny tables, inlaid with ivory and +mother-of-pearl, were scattered about, on which were caskets filled with +beautiful jewels and rare curios from foreign lands. + +"The Princess herself was reclining on one of the cushions, sobbing as +though her heart would break, and her beautiful hair was lying in +dishevelled glory about her shoulders. + +"I was afraid of alarming her, so I coughed slightly to attract her +attention. + +"She started up immediately with a look of terror, but was calmed in an +instant when she saw who it was. + +"'Oh!' she cried, 'have you slain him? You must have done in order to +have reached here. Oh! have you come to save me?' and she looked at me +with wild, eager eyes. + +"'Calm yourself, fair lady!' said I. 'What is it that alarms you? Be +sure that I will do all in my power to protect you from any evil that +threatens you.' + +"'The Dragon!' gasped the Princess. 'Have you not slain him? How else +can you have entered? He lies at the door of the cave.' + +"She caught me by the hand and led me to the entrance, and then, +clasping one hand over her eyes and shuddering with terror, she pointed +to where, a short distance beyond, under the shadow of some rocks, lay a +terrible Dragon, watching with cruel and expectant eyes for any prey +that might come his way. + +"'I cannot get away from here except I pass him, and I have been +imprisoned here now for two days,' sobbed the Princess. 'The King, my +father, must indeed be distraught at my absence,' and she burst into +fresh weeping. + +"I pressed her to tell me how she came there, and she explained to me +that one day, while walking on the sands with one of her maidens in +attendance, they had together discovered this cave, which was only +accessible at low tide; and they had secretly brought the rugs and +tapestries and other furniture with which the cave was filled and made a +bower of it, to which the Princess was wont to retire whenever she +wished to be alone. + +"And, venturing here two days since without attendance, the Princess +had found, when she had wished to depart, the terrible monster lying in +her path. + +"'And so,' she cried, 'I have been a prisoner all this time.' + +"I cheered her as well as I was able, and turned to my little book to +see if by chance it gave me any directions how I might slay a Dragon by +means of my fairy powers; and I read there that though one might not +slay it (for a Dragon lives for a thousand years), one might rob it of +its power by casting at it a jewel of great brilliancy, at the same time +wishing that he might become dazed and impotent till one could escape, +and it would be so. + +"I told this to the Princess, and she hastened to unfasten from her +bosom a jewel of great value set in gold of curious workmanship, which +she gave to me, imploring me at the same time to do immediately as the +book directed. + +"'Nay,' said I, 'the jewel is yours; you must cast it at the Dragon, and +I will _wish_ that the fairies may aid us.' + +"And so we stood at the door of the cave, and the Dragon, seeing us, +came forward with wide-opened jaws. + +"The Princess clung to my arm with one hand, but with the other she cast +the jewel, while with all my desire I wished that my fairy powers might +not fail me now. + +"Whether, however, it was that the fairies willed it so, or perchance +because she was a girl, the Princess's aim was not straight, and she +hit, not the Dragon, but a great boulder in the shadow of which he was +lurking; and then a truly remarkable thing occurred, for the boulder, +immediately it was struck by the jewel, tumbled forward, and falling +upon one beside it, imprisoned the Dragon between the two, where he has +remained to this day." + +And Shin Shira pointed dramatically to the rocks, from which an extra +large puff of spray belched forth, with a groan and a cry which almost +convinced me that what he told me must be true. + +"And what became of the Princess after that?" I inquired, being anxious +to hear the end of the story. + +"Why," resumed Shin Shira, "we picked up the jewel and hurried away from +the spot, and presently came at the top of the cliffs to the Castle, the +ruins of which may still be seen up yonder--to where the King dwelt. + +"I cannot tell you with what joy the Princess was received, nor with +what honour and favour I was rewarded by the King--and, indeed, by all +of the people--as the Princess's deliverer. + +"It is enough to say that the King called a great assembly of people, +and before them all said that as a fitting reward he should give me the +fairest jewel in all his kingdom, and handed me the very stone which had +been cast at the Dragon, and which was valuable beyond price, being one +of the most perfect and flawless stones in the world. + +"I was glad enough to have the gem, but I had fallen madly in love with +the Princess's beauty, so I made bold to remind the King that the +fairest jewel in his kingdom was not the gem he had given me, but the +Princess, his daughter. + +"The answer pleased the King and the people, though I remember sometimes +sadly, even now, that the Princess's face fell as she heard the King +declare that his word should be kept, and the fairest jewel of all, even +the Princess herself, should be mine. + +"But now, alas! comes the sorrowful part, for, before the ceremony of our +marriage could be completed, I was doomed by the fairies to disappear, +and so I lost for ever my beautiful bride," and Shin Shira gave a deep +sigh. "The jewel though," he added, "remained mine, and I have always +worn it in the front of my turban in honour and memory of the lovely +Princess. You may like to see it," and Shin Shira reached up to his head +for the turban in which I had noticed the jewel sparkling only a moment +before. + +It was gone! + +"Dear me! I'm disappearing again myself, I'm afraid," said Shin Shira, +looking down at his legs, from which the feet had already vanished. + +"Good-bye!" he had just time to call out, before he departed in a little +yellow flicker. + +"Hi! Hi!" I heard voices shouting, and looking up to the cliffs I saw +some people waving frantically. "Come up quickly, or you'll be cut off," +they shouted. + +And I hurried along the sands, only just in time, for I had been so +interested in Shin Shira's story that I had not noticed how the tide had +been creeping up. I shall have a good look at that jewel in Shin Shira's +turban next time I see him--and as for "the Bellows," I hardly know +which explanation to accept, Shin Shira's or that of the guide. + + + + +MYSTERY NO. III + +THE MAGIC CARPET + + +It was just at the end of the school term, and I had received a letter +from my young cousin Lionel, who was at Marlborough, reminding me of my +promise that he should spend a part at least of his holidays with me. + +"Mind you're at the station in time," he had said; "and, I say! please +don't call me Lionel if there are any of our fellows about, it sounds so +kiddish. Just call me Sutcliffe, and I'll call you sir--as you're so +old--like we do the masters. Oh yes! and there's something I want you to +buy for me, very particularly--it's for my study. I've got a study this +term, and I share it with a fellow named Gammage. He's an awfully good +egg!" + +"What extraordinary language schoolboys do manage to get hold of," I +thought as I re-read the letter while bowling along in the cab on my +way to the station, which, a very few minutes later, came in sight, the +platform being crowded with parents, relatives and friends waiting to +meet the train by which so many Marlburians were travelling. + +There was a shriek from an engine, and a rattle and clatter outside the +station, as the train, every window filled with boys' excited faces, +came dashing up to the platform. + +"There's my people!" "There's Tom!" "Hi! hi! Here I am!" "There's the +pater with the trap!" "Hooray!" To the accompaniment of a babel of cries +like these, and amidst an excited scramble of half-wild schoolboys, I +at last discovered my small cousin. + +"There he is!" he said, pointing me out to a young friend who was with +him; and coming up he hurriedly offered his hand. + +"How are you, _Sutcliffe_?" I asked, remembering his letter. + +"All right, thanks," he replied. "This is Gammage. I wanted to show you +to him. He wouldn't believe I had a cousin as old as you are. See, +Gammage?" + +Gammage looked at me and nodded. "'Bye, Sutcliffe; good-bye, sir," said +he, raising his hat to me and hurrying off to his "people." + +"I say! don't forget the rug, Sutcliffe!" he bawled over his shoulder +before finally disappearing. + +"Oh no! I say, sir! _That's_ what I want to ask you about," said +Sutcliffe, scrambling into the taxi, and settling himself down with a +little nod of satisfaction. + +"What?" I inquired, as we bowled out of the station. + +"Why, a rug for my--our--study," said the boy. "Gammage has bought no +end of things to make our room comfortable, and they've sent me up some +pictures and chairs and things from home--and--it would be awfully +decent of you if you'd buy me a rug to put in front of the fire-place. +It's rather cheek to ask, but you generally give me something when I +come over to see you, and I arranged with Gammage to say I'd rather have +that than anything. What sort of a shop do you get rugs at? Couldn't we +get it on our way now, and then it would be done with? I might forget to +ask you about it later on." + +"What sort of a rug do you want?" I asked, as the taxi turned into +Tottenham Court Road. + +"Oh, I don't know, sir. Any sort of an ordinary kind of rug will do. +There's some in that window; one of those would do." + +I stopped the taxi and we got out. The window was filled with Oriental +rugs and carpets, and a card in their midst stated that they were "a +recent consignment of genuine old goods direct from Arabia." + +"Oh, they're too expensive, I expect," I remarked, as we stood amongst a +small crowd of people in front of the window, "those Oriental rugs are +generally so--" + +But Sutcliffe suddenly nudged my arm, and, with an amused twinkle in his +eye, called my attention to a remarkable little figure standing beside +him, dressed in an extraordinary yellow costume, and wearing a turban. + +"Why! bless me! It's Shin Shira!" I exclaimed. "I hadn't noticed you +before." + +"No," said the Yellow Dwarf, "I've only just appeared. How very strange +meeting you here!" + +I told him what we were doing, and introduced my young cousin, who was +greatly interested and somewhat awe-struck at the extraordinary little +personage in the Oriental costume, whose remarkable appearance was +causing quite a sensation amongst the bystanders. + +"Oh, these rugs," he said, looking at them casually. "No, I don't fancy +they are much good for your purpose, they seem to be too--hullo!" he +suddenly cried excitedly, "what's that? Good gracious! I really believe +it's--Why, yes! I'm sure of it! I recognise it quite well by the +pattern. There's not another in the world like it. How could it possibly +have got here?" + +"What _are_ you talking about?" I asked. + +"Why, this carpet," cried Shin Shira, pointing excitedly to a very +quaint-looking Oriental rug in the corner of the window. "It's the Magic +Carpet which everybody has read about in the _Arabian Nights_. It +enables anybody in whose possession it is to travel anywhere they +wish--surely you must have heard about it." + +"No!" cried Lionel, his eyes sparkling with eagerness, "not really? Oh, +sir! Do--_do_ please buy it--it will be simply ripping! Do! do! Why, it +will be better than an aeroplane." + +I had never in my life before seen my cousin so excited about anything. + +"I should certainly advise you to purchase it," whispered Shin Shira. +"It is a very valuable rug, and no doubt you would find it very useful +in many ways." + +I must confess to a considerable amount of curiosity myself as we +entered the shop and asked to be shown the carpet which Shin Shira +declared to be endued with such remarkable properties. + +It was a very handsome one, and the shopkeeper showed it to us with a +considerable amount of pride. + +"It's a genuine article, sir," he told me. "Came over only last week +from Arabia in a special parcel purchased by our agent in Baghdad--I +believe it's very old. These foreigners know how to make things which +will last." + +I inquired the price, and hesitated considerably when I found that it +was far in excess of the amount I had intended to pay for a rug. + +However, Lionel seemed so very eager, and Shin Shira assured me so +positively that it was really a bargain, that, with a sigh at what I +feared was a great piece of extravagance on my part, I took out my purse +and paid for it. "To where shall I send it?" inquired the shopkeeper. + +"Let's ride home on it and save the cab fare," whispered Shin Shira, +pulling me down to his level by my sleeve. + +"Good gracious!" I exclaimed. + +"Why not? It will be the quickest way home, and certainly the least +expensive," persuaded the little Yellow Dwarf. + +"But--but--" I protested. + +Shin Shira had already spread the carpet on the ground, and pulling +Lionel on to it, beckoned me to follow. + +Half mechanically I obeyed his instructions, and had no sooner sat down +on it, cross-legged, as I saw that Shin Shira and Lionel were doing, +than the little Yellow Dwarf cried out something in a language which I +supposed to be Arabic--and immediately we began to rise into the air. + +[Illustration: "We floated away over the roofs of the houses."] + +I shall never forget the expression of dismay on the countenance of the +shopkeeper and his assistants, when they saw us slowly floating in the +air towards the door. + +"Open it! open it, somebody!" shouted Shin Shira, and a +bewildered-looking customer who had just entered instinctively pulled +the handle. Before we knew where we were, we found ourselves out in the +open air with a shouting, gesticulating, excited crowd watching us as we +rose higher and higher, and floated away over the roofs of the houses. + +The sensation, I must admit, was a pleasant one, and, despite a slight +feeling of nervousness (which, however, young Sutcliffe did not appear +to share), I quite enjoyed the journey to my flat. + +There were, fortunately, but very few people about, and we arrived at +the door without attracting much attention. + +One nervous old lady, at whose feet we descended somewhat suddenly, did +threaten to call the police--saying rather angrily that "What with +motor-cars and such-like," she "didn't know what we were a-coming to, +and it wasn't safe for a respectable lady to walk about the streets, +what with one thing and another." + +I managed, however, to soothe her ruffled feelings, and, rolling the rug +up carefully, we went up to the flat. I threw myself into a chair in the +study, thoroughly tired out and not a little bewildered by the strange +events of the morning. + +Lionel, however, was full of excitement, and eager to be off again for a +ride on the marvellous Magic Carpet. + +"I say! you know! but it's the rippingest thing I've ever heard of. Why, +we'll be able to go anywhere. Just think what an awful lot we'll save in +railway fares and cabs and those sort of things. I suppose anybody can +use it?" he inquired, turning to Shin Shira. + +"Oh yes, of course," declared the little Yellow Dwarf, "so long as you +say, out loud, where you want to go to." + +"Oh! Do let's go out again--just for a little while," pleaded Lionel. +"Can't we go to Gammage's? He lives over at Wimbledon. It's quite easy +to get to, and it won't take long. We could be back to lunch, and I +should _so_ like him to see the Magic Carpet. Do come, sir." + +"No," I replied, shaking my head, "I'm too tired. You two can go if you +like, only be back in an hour and a half." + +"Oh, jolly!" cried Lionel. "Come on, please--let's start at once." + +And he picked up the carpet under his arm. + +"I think it would attract less attention if, instead of starting from +the pavement, we went out of the window," said Shin Shira. "What do you +say?" + +"By all means," I replied, "if you think best," for you see, having +ridden on it myself, I felt perfectly safe in trusting my young cousin +on the Magic Carpet, and I felt sure that Shin Shira would not let him +come to any harm. + +So we opened the window, and a minute later the two were gaily floating +away out of sight, both energetically waving their pocket-handkerchiefs +until they disappeared. + +I could tell by the noise in the street that their strange method of +conveyance was attracting considerable attention; but as I felt thankful +to note, no one seemed to connect their appearance with my rooms. + +The next hour or so passed quickly enough, and I did not begin to get in +the least anxious till I heard the clock strike two, and then I suddenly +realised that they were over half-an-hour late. + +"Oh, they're all right," I consoled myself with thinking. "I expect +Gammage is so interested in the wonderful carpet that they can't get +away." + +When three hours had passed, however, and there was no sign of their +return, I began to get seriously alarmed. + +"What can have happened?" I thought, and, to add to my discomfiture, a +telegram arrived from Lionel's parents inquiring if he had arrived in +London safely from Marlborough. + +I was able to reply, truthfully, that he _had_ arrived safely, but, as +hour after hour passed by without any trace of either Shin Shira or the +boy, I became more and more disturbed. + +At last I could stand it no longer, but putting on my hat, I hurried off +to the nearest Police Station. + +"H'm! What do you say, sir?" said the Police Inspector whom I found +there, seated before a large open book, when in a broken voice I had +hurriedly explained that I feared that my young cousin was lost. "Went +off in company with a foreign-looking gent--Just describe him to me, +please, as near as you can." + +I described Shin Shira's appearance as accurately as I could, and the +Police Inspector looked up hurriedly and gave me a searching glance. + +"Do you mean to say the gent was going about the streets dressed like +_that_?" he asked, when I had told him about Shin Shira's yellow costume +and turban. + +"Yes," I replied in some confusion, "he is a foreigner, you know, and--" + +"Where does he come from?" + +"From Japan, I think, or China, or--" + +"What's his name?" + +"Shin Shira Scaramanga Manousa Yama Hama is his full name, but--" + +The Police Inspector laid down his pen and stared again at me. + +"It's a curious name," said he; "I'll get you to write it down for me. I +don't think I should be surprised at _anything_ happening to _anyone_ +with a name like that. Where do you say they were going?" + +"Well," I explained, "they set out to go to Wimbledon to see a--" + +"Wimbledon? Let's see, from Kensington they'd go by train I suppose, +from High Street Station, and change at--" + +"No, no," I interrupted, "they didn't go by train at all, they--" and +here I paused, for I suddenly reflected how exceedingly unlikely the +Inspector would be to believe me if I told him exactly _how_ they set +out for Wimbledon. "You see," I began by way of explanation, "I bought +a rug this morning that--" + +"Excuse me, sir," said the Inspector somewhat impatiently, "would you +mind keeping to the subject. How did Mr. Shin--er--the foreigner I mean, +and your cousin go to Wimbledon? If they didn't go by train, did they +drive or go by motor, or what?" + +"Well, I was trying to tell you. You see, I bought a rug this morning, +that--" + +"I _don't_ want to hear about your rug, sir," said the Inspector quite +angrily. "If you wish us to try and find the young gentleman you must +answer my questions properly. How did he set out to go to Wimbledon? +Come, come! Let's begin at the beginning. Which way did they turn when +they left your door?" + +"You see, they didn't exactly leave by the door," I began. + +"How did they go then, out of the window?" asked the Inspector in a +somewhat sarcastic voice. + +"Yes," I replied, "that's just how they did go." + +The Inspector looked bewildered. + +"Look here, sir," he said at last, "you told me when you gave me your +name and address that you lived in a flat at Kensington on the second +floor, and now you tell me that your cousin and a foreign gentleman +with an outlandish name and dressed like a Guy Fawkes, left your house +by the window. Really!" + +"So they _did_," I explained; "you see, I bought a rug this morning +that--" + +"_Bother_ the rug, sir!" shouted the Inspector, angrily throwing down +his pen. + +"If you _won't_ listen to what I have to say," I said with some amount +of dignity, "how can I possibly tell you what I know? I am +_endeavouring_ to explain that my cousin and the gentleman left in a +very remarkable manner by means of a Magic Carpet, which--" + +"Excuse me, sir," said the Inspector, getting up from his seat and +showing me the door, "it strikes me that it's a lunatic asylum you want +and not a Police Station. I haven't any time to waste with people who +come here with stories like that. Good-evening!" And he shut the door, +leaving me outside on the step. + +I went to several other stations, and finally to Scotland Yard, but I +could get no one to believe my extraordinary story; and at last I went +to bed quite bewildered and in a terribly anxious frame of mind, leaving +the lights burning and the windows wide open in case the wanderers +returned during the night. + +The next day, not hearing any news, I was obliged to telegraph for +Lionel's father and mother; and I had a terrible scene with them, for +they reproached me over and over again for letting their son venture out +upon the Magic Carpet. + +"You must have known," said my aunt tearfully, "that it was dangerous to +trust to such heathenish and out-of-date methods of travelling, and now +the poor dear boy is probably transformed or bewitched, or done +something terrible to by this wretched Yellow Dwarf friend of yours, +with the awful name. It's really disgraceful of you to have let him go +at all!" + +And so, amid the most bitter reproaches, although I left no stone +unturned in my hopeless search for Lionel and Shin Shira, several days +flew by, till one morning I nearly leaped from my chair in surprise and +delight, at seeing the following report in the paper-- + + + "EXTRAORDINARY RESCUE AT SEA + + "By Marconigram comes a message from mid-ocean that two days ago + the S.S. _Ruby_, from Liverpool to New York, picked up at sea, + under extraordinary circumstances, an English school-boy who + states that he was travelling by means of a Magic Carpet, which he + was unable to manage. He was found to be in a state of complete + exhaustion, but has since recovered, and appears to be a lively, + intelligent lad. He will be landed at New York." + + +It is needless to say that my uncle and myself lost no time in putting +ourselves in communication with the steamship people, and of course +found that the rescued lad was no other than Lionel. + +His father and I crossed over by the next boat, and found him happy and +well and being made a tremendous fuss of by everybody at the hotel where +we had arranged for him to stay till our arrival. + +"Of course," he explained in telling us all about it, "everything went +all right at first, and we went to Gammage's house in no time, but he +was out. We landed in the garden, and nobody saw us, and I went up to +the front door and knocked, and when I found Gammage wasn't at home I +just went back to Shin Shira and asked where else we could go, because I +didn't want to go home so soon. + +"'How would you like to go over to France?' he said; 'we could do it in +about twenty minutes.' + +"So of course I said yes, and we were crossing the Channel all right +when he suddenly began to disappear. + +"You can guess I was in an awful funk when I found myself alone on the +beastly old carpet, and I couldn't manage it at all. I suppose it was +because I couldn't speak the language; Shin Shira used Arabic or +something, wasn't it? I tried all sorts of things too, a little bit of +French--you know, 'Avez-vous la plume de ma soeur?' and 'Donnez-moi du +pain,' and things like that out of my French exercises, but it didn't +do any good: we only went out to sea. + +[Illustration] + +"It was frightfully cold all night, and I couldn't sleep at all, and I +began to get awfully hungry; but the next morning about eleven o'clock I +began to descend very slowly and gradually down to the sea. I thought I +was going to be drowned, but fortunately just before I touched the water +they saw me from the _Ruby_, and sent a boat out to pick me up. +Everybody was awfully decent on board, and I had plenty of grub and +changed my clothes. A fellow who was going over with his people lent me +his while mine were being dried. + +"Then when I got to New York your cable message was there waiting for +me, so I knew it was all right." + +We were very thankful to have found the boy again, and within three +weeks we were happily home once more, and the adventure with the Magic +Carpet was a thing of the past. + +The carpet itself was left floating out at sea, and from that day to +this I have not heard of it again. + + + + +MYSTERY NO. IV + +SHIN SHIRA AND THE DUCHESS + + +It all began with the collar-stud--at least I put it down at that. + +You see, I was dressing rather nervously to go to a charity "At Home" at +the Duchess of Kingslake's. I had not met the lady previously, but some +young friends of mine had been invited to the "At Home," and they had +persuaded the Duchess to ask me too. + +I do not know many titled people, and had never before visited a real +live Duchess, so I was just telling myself that I must really be on my +very best behaviour, and above all, that I must not be late in arriving. +The card had mentioned "4 to 6.30," and it was past three o'clock now. + +I was just struggling to fix my collar, which was rather stiff and +tight, when suddenly the stud popped out and rolled away to--where? + +Down I got on my hands and knees, and groped about in every direction +that I could think of. I lit a candle, and searched in every available +hiding-place; but no--no collar-stud could be anywhere found. + +And the time was going on. I rang the bell for Mrs. Putchy, my +housekeeper. + +"Please, Mrs. Putchy, send at once to the nearest hosier's and buy me a +plain collar-stud, and kindly ask Mary to get back as quickly as +possible. I am expecting the cab every moment." + +"It is at the door, sir," said Mrs. Putchy; "and I don't know, I'm sure, +where Mary will be able to get a collar-stud for you to-day. This is +Thursday, you know, sir, early closing day." + +Too true. It was indeed _most_ unfortunate. In my neighbourhood all the +shops close at two o'clock Thursdays, and it would have been as easy to +buy a collar-stud as an elephant at Kensington just then. + +What was to be done? + +A sudden inspiration struck me. + +I ran across to the study, and undoing my desk, I found a little +yellow-covered book attached to a golden chain which I had picked up +just after my friend Shin Shira had vanished the last time he had +visited me. + +It was the book which the fairies had given him, and contained +directions as to what to do when in any difficulty. I hurriedly turned +to the letter C, intending to look for "collar-stud"--but, to my great +disappointment, there was no such word to be found. + +"Of course not," I suddenly thought; "the people who live in the land +from which Shin Shira comes don't wear such things," and I let my mind +wander back to my little friend with his yellow silk costume and turban. + +"Hullo! though," I exclaimed a moment later, "what's this?" + +My eyes had caught the words "_To obtain your wishes_" at the top of one +of the pages. + +I hastily read what followed, and gathered from what was written that +_anybody_ could have at least _two_ wishes granted by the fairies if he +only went about it in the right way and followed the given directions +closely. It appeared that one must hop round three times, first on one +foot and then on the other, repeating the following words aloud, and +wishing very hard-- + + "Fairies! fairies! grant my wishes, + You can do so if you will, + Birds and beasts and little fishes + One and all obey you still. + Fairies! Please to show me how + You can grant my wishes _now_." + +Of course _I_ immediately wished for a collar-stud, and I was just +hopping round on my right leg for the third time, having begun with the +left one, when Mrs. Putchy entered the room. + +She looked rather surprised at seeing me engaged in what must have +seemed to her rather an extraordinary occupation, but she is so used to +strange things happening with me that she made no remark, except to +point to a spot just in front of the fire-place, where, to my great +surprise, I could see the very collar-stud which I had wanted. + +"Extraordinary!" I exclaimed, as I picked it up. "I could have declared +that it was not there a minute ago, for as you know, Mrs. Putchy, I +searched everywhere for it." + +"The cabman, sir, is getting impatient," said Mrs. Putchy, as she put +down my coat and hat which she had thoughtfully brought to my room. + +"Well, we won't keep him waiting long now," I smilingly said as I +hurriedly completed my dressing, and a very few minutes later, the cab +was quickly bowling me towards my destination. + +The mansion near Grosvenor Square, at which the Duchess resided, was a +very grand one, and red carpet was laid down the steps and across the +pavement for the convenience of the guests, who were arriving in large +numbers at the same time as myself. Fortunately, just inside the hall I +met my little friends the Verrinder children; Vera, the little girl, +looking very pretty in her white party frock; and her two brothers, Dick +and Fidge, full of excitement and high spirits. + +They fastened on me at once and dragged me most unceremoniously up to +our hostess, who it appears was Vera's godmother, and introduced me in +their own fashion. + +"This is the gentleman who tells stories, godmamma," said Vera. + +"And knows all about the Wallypug and the Dodo and Shin Shira, and all +sorts of things," declared Dick. + +"And if you ask him--" began Fidge, when the Duchess interrupted him. + +"Really, children, you mustn't rattle on so. I am very pleased to meet +your friend, and I trust that he will have an enjoyable afternoon," and +the lady smiled graciously and held out the tips of her fingers for me +to shake. + +I bowed as politely as I knew how, and, following the children, was soon +in the large drawing-room, which was already half filled with young +people who had come to the "At Home." + +It appeared that a very grand personage indeed was to be present. A real +live Princess was coming to receive purses of money which the children +had collected themselves, on behalf of the poor and sick in the East-end +of London; and, after the purses had been given, there was to be a kind +of concert and entertainment. + +Footmen were walking about with tea and cakes of all sorts, and the time +passed very pleasantly, till presently there was a commotion at the +door, and Her Royal Highness the Princess entered and was led to the end +of the room, where a tiny little girl presented a beautiful bouquet of +flowers. + +The Princess made a gracious little speech, saying how glad she was to +come on behalf of the poor people to receive the purses of money which +the children had collected; and then as they passed up one by one and +laid their purses on the silver tray beside her, she had a smile and a +little happy nod for each of them. + +It was a very pretty sight, but soon over, for the Princess, who is +devoted to good works, had to hurry away to another work of charity in a +distant part of London. + +We were all sorry when she went, but were not allowed to get dull, for +almost immediately afterwards the concert began. + +Several ladies and gentlemen sang, and a wonderful boy-pianist played +some music of his own composing; a little girl played the violin +delightfully; and a very humorous gentleman was giving a musical sketch +at the piano and making us all laugh very much, when I suddenly noticed +that the Duchess, who was sitting by herself on a settee, had raised her +lorgnette and was staring curiously, and rather apprehensively, at +something beside her. + +It was yellow in colour and seemed to grow larger every minute. I had +imagined at first that it was a cushion, but now it suddenly occurred to +me that it was Shin Shira appearing. + +Of course! and a minute or two later there he sat, cross-legged, +composedly fanning himself on the settee beside the Duchess. + +I could see her draw her skirts aside and regard the little Yellow Dwarf +in a puzzled and bewildered manner; and, as soon as the musical sketch +was concluded, she called one of the footmen to her and told him to +"remove that extraordinary-looking person immediately." + +Vera and the boys, however, had caught sight of Shin Shira, and flew +forward to claim acquaintance with him. + +"It's Shin Shira, you know, godmamma. He's a friend of the gentleman +who came with us--and--" + +"He was not invited," said the Duchess, looking with great disfavour at +the little Yellow Dwarf, "and it was exceedingly impertinent of your +friend to bring him without an invitation--I am displeased." + +"Madam," said Shin Shira, getting down to the floor and bowing low in +the Oriental manner, "you are mistaken in thinking that I came with a +friend. I--er--appeared, because I was _obliged_ to do so--I--" + +The Duchess came over to where I was sitting. + +"_Do_ you know this person?" she inquired, pointing with her glasses +towards Shin Shira. "Who and what is he? Did you bring him here, and if +so why?" + +"I am acquainted with the gentleman, Duchess," I admitted, "but he did +not come with me. I can tell you, however, that now he is here he can be +made very useful in entertaining your guests--he is a conjurer of very +remarkable powers, and I've no doubt whatever but that he would be only +too happy to exercise them for the amusement of the company." + +"That is a different matter," said the Duchess, evidently somewhat +mollified. "You may introduce me." + +I went to fetch Shin Shira, and had soon performed the necessary +ceremony. + +"The Duchess would be very much obliged if you would perform some +conjuring tricks, as I know you will do with pleasure," I whispered. + +"Delighted, I'm sure," replied the little Yellow Dwarf; "that is one +thing which I flatter myself I can do very well, owing to my fairy +powers," and so it was arranged that he was to begin immediately. + +I cannot possibly tell you of all the wonderful things he showed us. He +made flowers grow straight up from the carpet, and turned a gentleman's +walking-stick into a kind of Christmas-tree, upon which hung a little +present for every child in the room: a fan for each of the ladies, and a +suitable gift for each of the gentlemen. + +This was a most popular trick, it is needless to say, and the numerous +ladies and gentlemen who had by this time joined the party were as +delighted as were the children themselves. + +Shin Shira had become quite a centre of attraction, and the Duchess +smiled at me approvingly. + +"Your friend is a great acquisition," she remarked, coming over to the +settee on which I was seated. "Look! look! whatever is he going to do +now?" + +I was as interested and puzzled as herself, for, knowing of the +extraordinary powers which my little friend possessed, I could never +be sure what to expect from him in the way of the marvellous. + +[Illustration: "Shin Shira placed them in the Crystal Bowl."] + +This time it was really a most interesting trick. + +First of all he turned an inkstand into a large clear crystal bowl, and +placed it on a little table which stood in front of him. Then he asked +for anything to be given to him which the owner wished to disappear. + +Several gentlemen gave their watches, and one or two ladies laughingly +took off their bracelets and handed them to Shin Shira, who immediately +placed them in the crystal bowl. + +To our utter astonishment, each article as it was placed into the bowl +vanished from sight, and Shin Shira turned the bowl upside down to show +that nothing was inside. + +"It's really most marvellous," murmured the Duchess, taking off a most +valuable diamond ornament and handing it to the Yellow Dwarf. "Please +make this disappear too. I shall value it more highly than ever if I +know that it has been through such a wonderful adventure." + +Shin Shira bowed, and taking the jewelled ornament from the lady, he +dropped it into the bowl, where it at once shared the same fate as the +other articles. + +"Ha! Hum!" said a grave and somewhat pompous voice, "our friend here +might readily become a very dangerous person if he exercised his +remarkable gifts in private, and made things disappear in this +extraordinary fashion, and then refused to produce them again. Eh? Ha! +Hum!" + +"Yes--ha! ha! very good. Ha! ha!" laughed a number of people who were +standing near to the guest who had spoken. + +"That's the Lord Chief Justice," explained a gentleman who stood near +me. "That's why everybody is laughing; it's considered very improper not +to laugh when the Lord Chief Justice makes a joke--however feeble it +is." + +I hardly listened to what he was saying, though, for I had suddenly +noticed something which caused me a good deal of anxiety. + +Shin Shira was beginning to look very thin and vapoury about the head, +and, while I was watching him, to my horror, he began to vanish +piecemeal till he had entirely disappeared from sight, after giving me a +strange, apologetic look. + +The people clapped and stamped and laughed, evidently imagining that it +was all part of the trick--but I--_I_ knew differently, and scarcely +dared realise what it all meant for me. + +For a few minutes everybody waited patiently for him to appear again, +and clapped and stamped in great good humour. Presently, however, they +began to get rather tired and impatient, and, after we had waited for +about twenty minutes, the delay began to get very awkward. + +"Why doesn't he come back?" inquired the Duchess, in an impatient voice, +coming over to where I was standing. "The delay is becoming very +embarrassing." + +I turned very red, I am afraid, for I hardly liked to explain that the +probability was that he would _not_ come back at all. + +"Several of my guests are wanting to go early, and they must have their +jewellery before they depart," she continued. "Can you not tell him to +hurry up?" + +"I--I--I--am--afraid n--not," I stammered. + +"But you _must_," insisted the lady. "He's your friend, and you brought +him here, and I shall look to you to--" + +"Oh, Duchess! I'm sorry to interrupt your charming party, but will you +please ask the clever little gentleman who made my diamond and ruby +bracelet disappear if he would kindly return it, as I really must be +going," said a lady, hurrying up. "And my emerald chain, dear Duchess." +"And my gold and pearl locket," chimed in several other voices. + +"Yes, you simply must fetch him back somehow," said the Duchess, +clutching my arm nervously. "You see my guests are beginning to get +alarmed. You must!--you must!" + +"B-but I can't--it's impossible," I endeavoured to explain. + +The Duchess grew pale. "Do you mean to say," she gasped, "that the man +has _really_ disappeared--and--and taken the things with him? It's too +terrible--too dreadful! What _am_ I to do? And all my guests! What will +they think of me? Oh! _Do--do_--do something! I don't mind so much about +my beautiful diamond pendant, but do somehow get back the things +belonging to my guests. You brought him here. You _must_!" + +The grown-up guests were whispering together in little anxious and +indignant groups, and things were beginning to look very serious--so +serious that I sank into a chair and buried my head in my hands, trying +to think of some possible way out of the difficulty. + +The Duchess was almost in tears, and several ladies were trying to +console her, when suddenly I thought of a means of escape. Of course! +the wish! I had another wish left according to what the little book had +told me. I had _wished_ for a collar-stud, and had found my own. +_Perhaps_ if I wished for the jewellery-- + +The thought no sooner entered my head than I jumped up and began hopping +on one leg repeating-- + + "Fairies, fairies! grant my wishes, + You can do so if you will, + Birds and beasts and--" + +"Oh, he's mad, he's gone mad. Hold him, somebody!" cried the Duchess +when she saw me hopping about in what must have appeared to her a _most_ +eccentric manner; but, though several gentlemen came up and caught hold +of me, I managed to get round three times on one leg, and three times on +the other, repeating the magic rhyme, and then I wished--_wished_ as +hard as ever I could--for the jewellery to be found, before I sank down +exhausted with my struggle. + +Then a most remarkable thing happened, for the gentleman who had been +pointed out to me as the Lord Chief Justice, and who had apparently been +more indignant than anyone else at the disappearance of the jewellery, +suddenly began behaving in a very strange manner too, diving his hands +first into one pocket and then into another and muttering--"Strange! +remarkable! Most extraordinary!" and finally drawing out from every part +of his clothing watches, chains, rings, bracelets and jewellery of all +kinds, till _every_ missing article, including the Duchess's diamond +pendant, was restored to its proper owner. + +There was a pause at first, and then everybody began to talk at +once--laughing and protesting that "of course they all _knew_ it was +part of the trick, and they weren't _really_ anxious at all," and so on, +and I knew that the situation was saved. + +Even the Duchess beamed and admitted that it was "really _quite_ the +most marvellous performance she had ever seen," and thanked me over and +over again for having introduced such a remarkable conjurer to her +party. The guests were all equally delighted, and amidst the laughter +and chatter that followed, the Verrinder children and myself made good +our escape, and I felt very thankful that the fairies' "wish" had got me +out of what at one time bid fair to have been a very awkward +predicament. + + * * * * * + +The Duchess called on me the next day to thank me again, and to ask +where she might write to my little friend to thank him also. This +information, however, I was naturally unable to impart. + + + + +MYSTERY NO. V + +SHIN SHIRA AND THE LAME DUCK + + +It was during the summer holidays and my young cousin Lionel was staying +with me again. We had been spending the hot afternoon strolling about +Kensington Gardens, and had just been enjoying a cup of tea and some +cakes under the trees at the little refreshment place near the Albert +Memorial. + +"I think we'd better be going home now," I said. "We'll get a motor-'bus +at the gate." + +"Oh! must we go yet?" pleaded Lionel. "It's so jolly out here under the +trees. Let's walk home past the Round Pond." + +"I've some letters to write before dinner," said I, "but--" + +"Oh, bother the old letters!" interrupted Lionel. "It won't take much +longer to walk, and you'll get them done all right. Come on!" + +With a sigh of resignation, I not altogether unwillingly let the young +scamp have his way. + +It was the best part of the day: the lengthening shadows and the cool +breeze which had sprung up made walking very enjoyable. + +We had nearly reached the Round Pond when I heard a startled +"squ-a-a-k!" at my feet, and a lame duck struggled up from the grass and +limped painfully off. + +"Poor thing!" cried Lionel, who was a kind-hearted little chap. "You +nearly trod on it. I wonder how it got to be lame." + +"Some boys," said an indistinct voice close at hand, "some boys threw a +stone at it this afternoon and injured its leg." + +We looked round in great surprise, for there seemed to be nobody about +to account for the voice; but presently I could just discern Shin +Shira's face and yellow turban appearing. + +"Can't shake hands yet," said he, nodding amiably, "for they haven't +arrived at present, but I've no doubt they'll be here shortly." + +"I wonder how he'd get on if he wanted to scratch his nose," whispered +Lionel, who had a keen sense of the ridiculous. + +"It's rude to whisper in company," said Shin Shira severely, evidently +aware that some remark had been made about himself--"but there, you're +only a boy, and boys are--Hullo! here come my legs! that's all right! I +thought I shouldn't have to wait long for them. Where are you off to?" +and the little Yellow Dwarf hurried up to us now that he was quite +complete. + +"Oh, we're just walking home," I replied, "only Lionel had a fancy to +pass the Round Pond on our way; the little model yachts one often sees +there are very amusing to watch." + +"Yes," agreed Shin Shira. "There's one been left behind to-day," he +continued. "The boys who threw the stone at the duck were seen by the +park keeper, and when he came after them they ran away, leaving their +boat behind them. Serve them right if they lose it." + +"Oh, yes! There it is now!" cried Lionel, running towards the edge of +the Round Pond. "What a jolly little yacht. Why, it's a perfect model," +and he regarded it with the greatest admiration. He took it from the +water and inspected it carefully. + +"I say!" he cried excitedly, "wouldn't it be ripping if we could become +small enough to go for a sail in it!" + +"It's a very simple matter to arrange, if you wish it," remarked Shin +Shira composedly. + +"D-do you really m-mean that it would be possible for you to make us as +tiny as that?" stammered Lionel in his eagerness, his eyes bright with +excitement. + +"I couldn't do it, but the fairies might," said the Dwarf, taking up the +little yellow book which I had restored to him after our last adventure. + +"But should we be able to return to our proper size again?" I inquired +carefully, for I remembered from previous experience that Shin Shira's +magical powers had an unfortunate habit of going wrong at times. + +"Without the least doubt," replied he; "in fact, from the time that you +are reduced to the size which you desire to be, you very gradually +increase, till your original size is reached." + +"Then there's no danger?" I hazarded. + +"None whatever," was the reassuring reply. + +"Then do, _do_ please let us be 'reduced,'" pleaded Lionel eagerly. + +"Very well, then," said I. "And do you propose that we should go for a +trip in the model yacht?" + +"Of course!" declared Lionel. + +"Put it in the water then," said Shin Shira, "and I'll see what I can +do." + +Lionel quickly put down the boat, and stood watching Shin Shira to see +what would happen. + +The little Yellow Dwarf was busily gathering pebbles from the edge of +the pond, examining each carefully, and then throwing them down again in +what appeared to be an aimless and unintelligible manner. + +Presently, however, he said, "There's _one_," and putting a stone +carefully away in his belt, he continued to search till he had found +another like it. + +"And there's the other," he said, coming towards us. + +"Now then, all you have to do is to swallow these two little white +stones and wish to be--let's see--an inch and a quarter high, and there +you are." + +"It seems rather a venturesome proceeding," I said, hesitatingly. + +"Oh no! it'll be all right! Come along! Let's swallow them!" cried +Lionel, suiting the action to the word and popping one of the stones +into his mouth without further ado. + +He immediately became so small that I had some difficulty in seeing him +at all amongst the stones at the edge of the Pond. + +"Are you not going to swallow one of the stones too?" I inquired of the +Dwarf before swallowing mine. + +"No, I think not," was the reply. "I'll remain as I am, I think, in +case you may require assistance of a kind which only a larger person +than yourself could afford." + +I then swallowed my stone, and immediately became almost as tiny as my +small cousin, having, for my part, wished to be reduced to the height of +an inch and a half, thinking that _some_ sort of distinction ought to be +preserved in our relative sizes. + +"There!" exclaimed Lionel in a vexed voice, when I had joined him. "It's +no use after all! How on earth are we going to get on board?" + +"Ah!" cried Shin Shira, laughing good-humouredly and now looking, to us, +like a good-natured giant, towering as he did high above our heads. +"_Now_ you see the wisdom of my having remained as I am. I can simply +lift you on board and push the boat off for you too." + +Suiting the action to the word, he very gently and carefully picked up +first Lionel and then me from the ground and placed us on board the +yacht, then gave the boat a little shove which, though he didn't intend +it to do so, sent us both sprawling on the deck and the boat itself well +out into the water. + +I think I have mentioned that a slight breeze had sprung up, and the +Pond was rippled over with tiny waves, upon which our yacht danced +merrily, the sails having filled out with wind which drove her along at +a fine rate. + +Lionel was running all over the deck examining everything eagerly. + +"I wish there was a real cabin," he said; "this is only a dummy one, and +I find a lot of the ropes to the sails won't act properly. I wonder how +you steer the thing, too." + +"By means of the rudder, I should imagine," I said. + +"Of course!" exclaimed Lionel impatiently; "any baby would know that; +but this one is fastened up so tightly that I can't move it." + +"Well, never mind," said I, "it is evidently set in the right direction; +for see, we are heading straight across the Pond, and there's Shin Shira +walking round to be there to meet us when we go ashore," and I settled +myself down comfortably to enjoy the pleasant trip. + +"Hullo! Look at that!" cried Lionel a moment or two later, pointing to +the shore. + +The lame duck had been disturbed by Shin Shira's passing, and was slowly +waddling towards the water. + +"She's coming in!" declared Lionel. "By Jove! doesn't she look a size +now we're so tiny!" + +The boy was right, for, to us, the duck now appeared a formidable +monster of strange and uncouth shape. Her bill, as she came quacking +into the water, opened and shut in an alarming manner, revealing the +fact that, if she desired to do so, she could make a meal of us at one +gulp. + +Somewhat to our dismay, she seemed impelled by some vague curiosity to +swim in our direction, and the situation began to get distinctly +alarming as she drew nearer and nearer. + +"What on earth shall we do?" exclaimed Lionel. "I hope to goodness she +isn't going to attack us. It would be too silly to be swallowed by a +duck." + +"I fancy she's only coming to have a look at us," I said, "and at any +rate, if we shouted at her loudly if she came too near it would probably +frighten her away." + +This seemed to be the only thing to do, and as the duck continued to +swim directly towards us we both began to shout and wave our arms about +in what must have appeared to Shin Shira a perfectly mad fashion. + +The noise, however, seemed to have the desired effect, for the duck +paused, looked at us in a puzzled manner for a moment, and then turned +tail and began moistening her bill in the water, lifting her head and +shaking it after each mouthful, as their habit is. + +"I wish she'd get out of the way," said Lionel anxiously. "We shall run +into her directly, she's right in our course," and he began to shout +vigorously again, in the hope of startling her. + +I added my voice to his, and we both yelled our loudest, with not the +slightest effect, however, for the duck continued unconcernedly to enjoy +herself in her own fashion in the middle of the lake. Presently what +Lionel had feared came to pass, and with a bump which sent us both off +our feet, the yacht was driven straight on to the duck, which gave a +terrific "Quack!" and swam off in a hurry. + +"Our bowsprit's broken," announced Lionel, directly he had recovered his +feet, "and it's fallen in the water and is dragging the sails with +it--and--look out!" This as a gust of wind filled the mainsail and +caused the boat to careen over on to her side in a highly dangerous +manner. + +"Look out!" and this time another and a stronger gust completed the +matter, and the sail touched the water and immediately became saturated, +so that the boat could not right itself. + +"Well, we shan't sink, that's one thing," I said, for Lionel was looking +at me in an alarmed manner. "The water cannot get into the hull, thanks +to there not being a 'real' cabin and the hatches only being sham ones." + +"That's all very well," said Lionel, though giving a little sigh of +relief at my reassuring words, "but we can't stop here for ever. I +should like to know how we are to get ashore." + +Shin Shira, who had seen our accident, was shouting and gesticulating at +the edge of the Pond, but the wind was blowing in his direction and +carried the sound of his voice away from us, so that we couldn't hear a +single word of what he was saying. + +"I suppose eventually we shall drift ashore," I said hopefully. + +"Yes, but not for hours and hours perhaps," said Lionel dolefully, +"because the wind may change, you know, and besides it's getting dusk." + +"It certainly isn't a very pleasant look-out," I agreed. "I can't see +what we are to do, unless--I say! what's that big box floating towards +us?" + +Lionel looked in the direction in which I was pointing. + +"It's an empty match-box," he said uninterestedly; "that's no good." + +"I'm not so sure about that," said I. "Try and get hold of it as it +drifts this way. I've an idea." + +"I can't see what good an empty match-box can be to us," grumbled +Lionel, doing his best, however, to aid me in capturing the prize as it +blew against the side of the overturned yacht, which we at last did with +some difficulty. + +It was a very large box and had evidently been in the water for some +time; the paper around it had become unstuck from the sides and hung +loose in the water beside it. + +"We must get the paper at all cost, and pray be careful not to tear it," +I cried. + +"Whatever for?" asked Lionel in amazement. + +"Do as you're told and don't ask questions," I replied rather crossly, +for I was very anxious to try an experiment which I had in my mind. So +we hauled the paper aboard and stretched it on the bulwarks to dry. + +Then we hauled the broken bowsprit aboard and freed it from the broken +ropes with our pen-knives--a long and difficult job--and by the time we +had finished, the paper which had been around the box had become dry and +quite stiff by reason of the gum with which it had been stuck to the +sides of the box. + +"Oh, I see!" cried Lionel, as I clambered on to the box (which was +fastened by a rope to the side of the yacht) and began to cut a hole in +the middle. "You're going to make a raft." + +"I'm going to try to," I answered grimly, for I wasn't at all sure that +my experiment would be a success. + +By dint of real hard work, cutting and contriving, however, we did +eventually succeed in making a raft of a sort, the stiff paper, fixed to +the broken bowsprit, making a capital sail; and somewhat in fear and +trembling, we both got aboard and pushed off from the derelict yacht. + +All went well for some time till we were nearing the shore, and then I +noticed something which caused me grave alarm. + +We were both growing rapidly! The raft, which had before been quite +large enough to support us, was now low down in the water with our +weight, and there was great danger of the water getting into the inside +of the box, in which case it would undoubtedly sink. + +Lionel noticed the difficulty at the same time as myself, for he gave me +a startled glance. + +"We're getting bigger," he said. "Do you think the raft will hold out?" + +"I don't think so," I replied, "but we're quite near the water's edge +now--perhaps I could swim ashore with you." + +"Good gracious! I can swim twice that distance myself, thank you. Why, I +beat Mullings Major hollow in the swimming competition last term, and +he's four years older than me, and--" + +Whatever Lionel was going to add was lost, for at that instant he had to +put his boasted prowess to the test. The box, having filled with water +just as I had feared it would do, sank slowly down, and we were left in +the water. + +Fortunately Lionel's boast was not a vain one, and he reached the shore +before I did, laughing and wringing the water out of his clothes. + +"Well, it's good to be on dry land once more at any rate," he said, as +I waded ashore, "isn't it?" + +"Yes," I agreed, looking about to see if I could discover any traces of +Shin Shira in the dusk. + +"There he is!" at last cried Lionel, "but his head has vanished, and +there are only his legs and arms waving about. _They_ won't be much use +to us, and--by Jove! yes! Look, here comes that wretched old duck after +us. We'll have to cut," and he gathered up his things and set the +example. + +It was quite true; the old duck had evidently come to the conclusion +that we were something dainty to eat--in the frog line probably--and was +waddling towards us as quickly as her game leg would allow. + +Fortunately we were soon able to out-distance her; and having fixed our +latitude by Kensington Palace, which we could just see in the distance, +we set out for the gate. + +To our tiny, but rapidly growing bodies the distance seemed an +interminable one, especially as darkness was now quickly falling. We +could see the lights in Kensington, but they seemed far, far away; and +to add to our dismay, when at last, tired and exhausted, we did reach +the gate, it was only to find it closed for the night, and that during +our journey from the Pond we had grown too big to be able to squeeze +through the railings. + +We waited a few minutes uncertain what to do, till presently a cab came +in sight, the horse walking leisurely and the cabby evidently on the +look-out for a fare. + +"Cabby! cabby!" I called, and Lionel added his shrill voice to mine. + +The cabman looked about in bewilderment. + +"Here, by the Park gates!" I yelled, and he got down from his seat and +came over to where we were standing. + +"Well, I'm blowed!" he exclaimed when he had had a good look at us. +"What the Dickens are you? Kids or dwarfs or what?" + +"Never mind what we are, cabby; get us out of here somehow, and drive us +home to Kensington Square, and I'll give you a sovereign." + +"Will you, though?" said the cabby. "Well, I'm gaun to do it, but the +question is--how? I'll go and knock up the park keeper." + +"No, no, don't do that!" I said hastily. "He'll want such a lot of +explanations, and we're wet and uncomfortable and anxious to get home. +Do please try and think of some way of getting us out without having to +call him." + +Our cabby was a man of resource, for having considered for a moment, he +backed the horse close against the gate, stood on the top and lowered +the horse's nosebag by means of a long rope which he kept by him in case +of emergencies, and cried-- + +"Now then, get in there, one at a time, and I'll soon have you over +here." + +Lionel got in first, and as the cabby had said, was easily hauled up and +deposited on the top of the cab. + +I followed, and in a very short space of time we were both inside the +cab and rattling home at a good pace. + +I got the cabby to knock at the door, and Mrs. Putchy, to whom I quickly +explained everything, gave him a sovereign for me. In a very few minutes +Lionel and I were warm and comfortable each in our respective beds. + +In the morning we had both grown to our original sizes, and the +adventure of the day before was nothing but a memory. + + + + +MYSTERY NO. VI + +SHIN SHIRA AND THE DIAMOND + + +I was exceedingly surprised a few weeks after our latest adventure with +the little Yellow Dwarf to receive the following extraordinary letter +from him. It was dated from Baghdad, and bore two very unusual postage +stamps, which Lionel promptly claimed for his collection. + + + "Kind and obliging Sir," it began, "I am in great and serious + trouble and in danger of my life, and I appeal to you to come to + my assistance by the first boat. I will explain everything when + we meet, but kindly do not delay, as everything depends upon your + presence here. + + "Again beseeching you not to delay, + "Your miserable and much-afflicted friend, + "SHIN SHIRA SCARAMANGA MANOUSA + YAMA HAWA. + + + "P.S.--Inquire for me at the State Prison, Baghdad." + + +"Well!" I exclaimed, after perusing this remarkable epistle, "of all the +extraordinary requests I have ever received this is the strangest. This +man, whom I have only met at the most half-a-dozen times in my life, +expects me to neglect my work and rush off to Baghdad, of all places in +the world, to his assistance, because he has got into some trouble which +has landed him in the State Prison there. I always thought somehow that +those uncanny powers which he possesses would get him into serious +difficulties at some time or another. I'll send him a letter stating +that I cannot go to him." And here I endeavoured to dismiss Shin Shira +and his affairs from my mind. + +I was so worried about the matter, however, that I couldn't settle to +work, so I lit my pipe and settled myself in my easy-chair to think the +matter out. + +Poor little fellow! If he really was in such desperate straits it seemed +very heartless to leave him to his fate if in any way I could be of real +assistance to him; and, after all, I could work almost as well while I +was away as I could at home, and the voyage would probably give me +plenty of new ideas for my book. I thought of all the kind things the +little chap had done for me, and how he had always somehow come to the +rescue when I had been in difficulties in my adventures with him; and +finally I came to the conclusion that it would be most ungrateful and +selfish of me if I let anything stand in the way of my going to my +friend's assistance. + +I had no sooner made up my mind on this point than I called a cab and +set out at once for Messrs. Cook's office and booked a passage by the +next steamer. + +I will not tell you anything about the somewhat uninteresting journey +either by sea or land, with the exception that when I at last stepped +ashore in an Oriental port, I found in the curious costumes and strange +surroundings many things to amuse me and to wonder at. + +The entire journey on the whole, however, was decidedly tedious, and I +was very glad to find myself at last in the ancient city of Baghdad. + +I went at once to the British Consul there and told him my object in +coming to the city. + +"Shin Shira!" he exclaimed. "Why, there is scarcely anything talked +about in these days but Shin Shira. He has stolen one of the most +valuable crown jewels, and was caught with it in his possession. +Despite the indisputable evidence against him, however, he persists in +declaring his innocence, and pleads that, with the assistance of a +friend from London, he can prove it conclusively. I suppose, sir, that +you are the friend from London." + +I told him that I was, and that I was deeply grieved to hear of the +trouble that Shin Shira was in, and that I felt convinced that there was +some mistake in the matter which could somehow or other be cleared up. + +"I should be very glad to think so," said the Consul, shaking his head, +"but I fear it is hopeless. You see, the stone--an almost priceless +diamond--was actually found in his possession. But come, you will be +anxious to see your friend as soon as possible. I will come with you to +the prison and see that you are admitted." + +The kind-hearted official called his carriage, and together we drove +through the unfamiliar narrow streets to the dismal-looking building in +which my poor friend was confined. + +A brief consultation with the authorities and the signing of various +papers made me free to enter the prison, and having thanked the Consul +for his kind offices, I was led away by one of the officials to a +terribly dark dungeon, in which, crouched in a corner, I found my poor +friend Shin Shira, looking the picture of misery. + +His face lit up with a smile of hope, however, when he saw me, and his +whole aspect changed. + +"My friend! my deliverer!" he cried, using all kinds of extravagant +Oriental phrases to express his delight at seeing me. "Ah! at last you +have come, and I shall be saved! May all the blessings of Allah be on +your head!" + +The official withdrew, locking the door carefully behind him, having +first given me to understand by various signs that he would return for +me in about half-an-hour. + +"Well, now," I inquired, when we were alone, "what is this terrible +trouble which has brought you here? What have you been doing?" + +"Nothing!" declared Shin Shira solemnly. "Nothing whatever to merit this +punishment. It is all a horrible mistake. Let me begin at the beginning. +About two months ago, after a series of my usual adventures, I suddenly +appeared here in Baghdad. Now I have been acquainted with the city for +many, many years--in fact, ever since the time of Sinbad the Sailor, +whom I knew quite well, and with whom I was at one time very friendly. +Well, I have many times appeared here since then, and on each occasion I +have taken a great interest in the place on account of old +associations. I have made many friends here, too; so when I found myself +here once more I was greatly delighted, and was making my way to the +Bazaar, where I knew I should be sure to find some acquaintances, when +greatly to my surprise I saw several passers-by stop and stare at me +curiously and then, whispering amongst themselves, follow me at some +distance behind. + +[Illustration] + +"It could not be my clothing which was attracting all this attention, +for it was more or less of the same pattern to which they were +accustomed. I caught sight of myself in a polished steel mirror in one +of the shops in the Bazaar, and stole a glance at myself, but could see +nothing wrong. What could be the cause? I had not long to wait, however, +before I found out to my cost what was wrong. + +"The crowd following me had increased in size, and at last two enormous +men in uniform came up and seized me by my arms, and I was immediately +surrounded by a throng of curious faces. + +"'Where did you get that diamond?' demanded one of my captors, pointing +to my turban, in which, as you know, I always wear the jewel which the +Princess gave me. + +"'Oh that! That was given to me many years ago by a friend--a +Princess--who has been dead now for many hundreds of years,' I said. + +"'Many hundreds of years? And you say she was a friend of yours?' +exclaimed the man. 'Absurd!' + +"'Preposterous!' declared the other. 'Look here! If you can't give us +some more reasonable explanation than that, we shall take you off at +once to the Chief Magistrate, and charge you with having stolen it.' + +"'But why?' I gasped. 'Why should you think that I have stolen it?' + +"'A diamond of exactly that size and colour has disappeared from amongst +the Crown jewels, and it strikes me very forcibly that this is the very +one.' + +"It was in vain for me to protest. I was taken before the Magistrate, +and experts were called to examine the jewel. + +"They weighed it and examined it carefully through powerful magnifying +glasses, and finally unanimously agreed that it was indeed the missing +jewel. + +"I was closely cross-questioned as to how it came into my possession, +and also as to my movements during the past six months. My explanations +were considered most unsatisfactory, and no one would believe me; +consequently I was thrown into prison and condemned to death. It was +only by the most earnest pleading that I managed to gain time for you to +get here, as I assured them that you would be able to put everything +right, and explain matters to their entire satisfaction." + +"I?" I stammered. "I am very, very sorry for you, my poor friend, and I +would do anything to help you, but what am I to say or do which will +convince them when you tell me that you have failed to do so?" + +"It is easy--easy," declared Shin Shira hopefully. "Now attend carefully +to what I say. I am of course not allowed outside the prison walls, and +there is no one here whom I would dare to trust with an important +commission. + +"Now I want you to go at once to the Bazaar, and find a man named +Mustapha, a dealer in old curiosities; and, without letting him know +whom it is for, purchase from him a large round crystal which you will +find in his shop. He will probably want a lot of money for it, but +whatever he asks offer him just half, and you will find that after a lot +of argument he will let you have it at that. These Oriental shopkeepers +are all like that. And then, having secured the crystal, hurry back here +and the rest will be easy." + +Although I could not in the least see what Shin Shira wanted the crystal +for, I was careful to execute his commission to the letter. + +I found no difficulty in reaching the Bazaar, and, once there, soon +found out Mustapha. I did not like the look of the man at all. + +He was a fawning, obsequious little man, with shifting eyes which never +looked you straight in the face. + +He stood bowing and smiling and rubbing his hands when I entered the +shop and asked to see the crystal. + +"Ah yea--very fine crystal--for those who know how to use it. Very +vallyble--lot money. You know this? You got?" and he gave me a searching +glance with his little bead-like eyes. + +"Oh yes, I can pay for it if I want it," I said, "but what do you call a +_lot_ of money? How much do you want for it?" + +[Illustration] + +He named a price which I knew to be very excessive, and I shook my head +decidedly. + +"No! too much!" I declared. + +"Oh! but see! Beautiful crystal!" he argued. + +"No," I replied, "too much! I'll give you half," and I began to walk +unconcernedly out of the shop. + +"And you give me little present besides?" pleaded Mustapha. + +"Not a penny," said I. + +The man gave a little sigh. + +"Oh well, you take him," he said. "Not enough money, but Mustapha very +poor, must sell him. I wrap him up for you, see!" + +I paid him the money and hurried out of the shop, for I must confess +that I had taken a great dislike to the little man with his smooth, oily +manner. + +However, I had got the crystal, and that was the main thing. + +I hastened back to the prison, and after a long argument with the +authorities, I managed to gain permission to see the prisoner once more. + +I found Shin Shira all eagerness to know if I had secured the crystal, +and when he saw it in my hand, his joy knew no bounds. + +"Now it is all easy," said he, "and I shall soon be free. This is a +Magic Crystal, and by wishing very hard to see any particular object and +gazing at it steadily for a moment or two, you will see just what you +wish to see reflected in it. Now I'm just going to wish +to--er--to--er--er--o--o-h! I'm going to vanish! To think that I've been +here all this time hoping every day that I should be able to disappear, +and now, just as I was about to get myself free--I--good-bye--!" + +And to my horror, the little Yellow Dwarf suddenly faded away, and I was +left alone in the dungeon. + +I say to my horror, for what was I to say when the jailer appeared? How +was I to account for the prisoner's escape? I was just puzzling about +these things when the door opened and the jailer hurriedly came to tell +me the time allowed for my visit was up. + +He saw at once that Shin Shira was not there, and in a great state of +excitement plied me with questions. + +I felt, however, that the best thing to do was to preserve silence: it +would at least gain time; so I shook my head and pretended not to +understand a word of what he was saying in his broken English. + +The man doubly locked the door and hurried off to inform his superior +officers, and I was left alone once more. + +My eyes fell upon the crystal, and I suddenly thought of what Shin Shira +had said. Holding it carefully in my hands, I wished to see the real +thief who had stolen the crown jewel. + +A vague mist spread over the crystal, which gradually cleared away, and +I distinctly saw revealed the features of--Mustapha. Then I wished to +see what he had done with the stone, and after gazing a moment or two +longer, I saw him take it down to a cellar under his shop and bury it in +a tin box under a stone, which he lifted up from the floor. + +That was enough for me. When the jailer and the other officers came +hurrying back I was ready for them. + +"Where is the prisoner?" they demanded. + +"He has escaped," I replied coolly. + +"What!" they exclaimed. "You dare to admit this, and that you assisted +him to do so? You shall take his place here, and will no doubt receive +the punishment which was intended for him." + +"He is an innocent man," said I calmly, "and ought never to have been +imprisoned. He did not steal the diamond." + +"How can you say that when we found it upon him? Why, he was actually +impudent enough to go walking about in the street with it boldly stuck +in his turban." + +"The stone he was wearing was his own, and he had every right, to wear +it where and how he liked," I replied steadily. + +"His own! Pooh! a likely story. Where is the missing jewel then? Can you +tell me that?" + +"Yes," I replied, to their great astonishment. + +"And the thief?" they questioned eagerly. + +"I know who he is too. Take me before the Magistrate at once, and I will +soon restore the lost jewel." + +My assured tone of voice seemed somewhat to impress the officials, and +they left me for a few moments to consult amongst themselves as to what +was best to be done. + +Presently they returned and told me to follow them. + +[Illustration] + +I found myself conducted to a plainly-furnished room where a +dignified-looking gentleman was seated at a table strewn with papers. He +looked up at me sharply as we entered the room, and addressing me in +excellent English, said-- + +"What is this extraordinary story I hear about the escape of the +prisoner Shin Shira, and that you are prepared to inform us of another +person who has, as you say, the crown jewel in his possession?" + +"It is true," said I, "and if you will allow some of your officers to +accompany me into the Bazaar I will point out the thief at once, and +show you where he has hidden the stone." + +The Magistrate thought for a moment. "I will come with you myself," he +said at last. "Have ready six men to accompany us," he commanded; and a +few minutes later we were on our way to Mustapha's shop. + +The wretched man gave a start and turned very pale when he saw us, but +endeavouring to put a bold face upon it, he came bowing and cringing +towards us, smiling and wringing his hands. + +"What an honour to my poor house!" he exclaimed. "How unworthy am I to +receive such august guests!" + +"We've come to see if you have any more crystals like the one I bought +of you to-day, Mustapha," I said. + +"Alas! honoured patron, none!" cried Mustapha in a relieved voice, +thinking that he now knew the object of our visit. + +"Think--think, Mustapha," said I. "Have you no piece of clear glass +that could be used in its place?" + +[Illustration: "I took up the stone."] + +"Alas, none!" he replied, shaking his head. + +"Look about," said I. "Here in the shop--and down in the cellar." + +The little man's face turned green. + +"The cellar? Noble patron, how should I find such a thing there?" + +"Lead the way and I will try to show you," said I; and despite his +agonised protests, the trembling wretch was made to lead us to the very +spot where the jewel was hidden. + +I took up the stone and showed the Magistrate the box in which the +diamond was concealed, while Mustapha grovelled on the ground, pleading +for mercy. + +What followed was a matter of course. The merchant Mustapha was +arrested, I was released and commissioned to let Shin Shira know that if +he applied in person for his jewel it would be returned to him, and an +apology offered for his unwarranted arrest. + +And so I was set free--a stranger and alone in Baghdad. + + + + +MYSTERY NO. VII + +SHIN SHIRA AND THE ROC + + +When I found myself alone in Baghdad after my extraordinary adventure +with the Magic Crystal, my first intention was to return at once to +England. + +I found, however, that it would be impossible for me to do so for at +least four days; so I prepared to make the best of matters by doing a +little sight-seeing while I was still confined to the ancient and +interesting city. + +There were two additional reasons which made the delay less disagreeable +to me. + +The first one was that I might possibly happen to meet Shin Shira again +before I departed; and the other was that, on the second day of my stay, +I saw a printed notice to the effect that, according to the ancient +usage of the country relating to condemned prisoners, all of Mustapha's +goods were to be immediately sold by public auction, and the money +realised was to be confiscated by the Crown. + +I had noticed a number of very quaint and curious articles in the shop, +and thought that it would be an excellent opportunity for me to purchase +some souvenirs of my visit, to take back with me to England. + +The sale took place the next day, and I was able to secure several +interesting pieces, which have a place in my study to this day. In fact, +I was tempted to buy so many things that I began to fear that I should +soon not have enough money left to take me back again to London; and I +was just about to leave the auction, in order to be out of the way of +temptation, when I caught sight of the quaintest, most uncanny-looking +brass lamp being offered for sale that you could possibly imagine. + +It was slightly damaged too, and looked very old, so I hoped that it +might be going very cheap. + +I was right, and to my great delight it was knocked down to me for a +mere trifle. + +Clutching my treasures about me, I hurried back to my hotel, and spent +the whole of the rest of the day examining and admiring my purchases. + +The lamp, though, pleased me most of all, although it was so old and +battered. It was so very quaint and uncommon, and so typically Oriental +in design--in fact, I felt sure there was not another like it in the +world. + +The time came, however, for packing up, and I had to get everything +ready for the morning, so that I might be in time for the early train. + +I had carefully wrapped up the other things, and was just taking a last +look at the lamp before putting it into the bag, when, turning around +for no apparent reason, I caught sight of a yellow turban on the floor. + +"Dear me!" I thought, "I suppose I must have brought this away from the +Bazaar, with my other things, by mistake. What a nuisance! Now I shall +have to take it back again, I suppose, or--No! it's Shin Shira's. And +here comes the rest of him!" for I could see a little hazy yellow figure +gradually growing out of nothing. + +"Ah! just in time, I see," said the little fellow, when he had quite +appeared. "I did so hope that I should be able to be visible again +before you left Baghdad. Well, how did you get on? You've got out of +prison, I'm glad to see." + +I told him about the crystal, and how I discovered that it was Mustapha +who stole the diamond. + +"Phew!" he whistled when he heard this. "I felt sure someone had stolen +it, but I didn't think of Mustapha. I never liked the man, though, +personally, and I'm glad he's found out at last. He has done a lot of +harm to many people in Baghdad, and he will be rightly punished. What is +to be done with _my_ diamond?" he inquired anxiously. + +"Oh, you're to have it back whenever you like to go for it, and you'll +receive an apology at the same time," said I. + +"Very well, then, I'm off to get it first thing in the morning," said +the little fellow gleefully. "I prize that stone far above its intrinsic +value, for it was given to me by my beautiful Princess, you know, and I +would not lose it for anything. But, I say! what's that curious-looking +old lamp in your hand? May I look at it?" + +I handed it over to him. + +"It's just a little thing which took my fancy at Mustapha's sale, and +which I picked up for a trifle," said I. + +"It's very dirty--wants cleaning badly," declared Shin Shira. "Why, I +believe it's solid brass, though it looks like rusty iron in its present +neglected state," and he seized a duster which was lying handy and gave +the lamp several smart rubs. + +"Just as I thought," said he, going on vigorously with the polishing. +"Why, it's splendid--" + +"Oh!" I exclaimed, sinking into a chair. "See! see what you've done!" + +An enormous form was rising from the floor, and presently stood before +us making a deep salaam. + +"W-who are you?" I stammered. + +"The Slave of the Lamp, Master," said he. + +"Good gracious!" I exclaimed, "you don't mean to say that this is--" + +"Aladdin's lamp," burst in Shin Shira. "I thought somehow that it looked +familiar. I knew Aladdin well, and I've often handled this lamp before." + +"Impossible!" I exclaimed, gazing at the big black giant who stood, with +his arms folded, in dignified silence before us. + +"Nothing is impossible in the East," said Shin Shira, "as you'll quickly +find out if you remain here long. And now--now that you are the +possessor of Aladdin's lamp--what are you going to do with it?" + +"I--I don't know," I stammered. "I must have time to think." + +"I should have diamonds," advised Shin Shira: "they're so easy to carry +and can always be converted into money. Command him to bring you a bag +full of diamonds of all sizes." + +"But, but," I said hesitatingly, as visions of untold wealth floated +before my eyes, "will he really do it?" + +"Try him and see," said Shin Shira. So I took the lamp in my hand, and +rather nervously commanded the Slave to bring me a bag of diamonds. + +[Illustration] + +The Slave fell to the ground and touched his head to the floor, paying +me the deepest mark of respect. + +"Alas, Master, that it should be so, but you ask your slave that which +is impossible, unless you would have me take from the shops that which +is not thine." + +"Not for worlds," I interrupted. "But how is it that you cannot get me +the diamonds from the mines as you used to do for your former Master +Aladdin in the olden days?" + +A bitter smile spread over the Slave's face. + +"The age, Master, has greatly changed, and now the mines in Africa, +which were known only to us, are being worked by greedy men with noisy +machinery, and we may not be seen there under peril of death. This is +the will of the Spirit of the Lamp of whom I am the Slave, and who also +calls you Master, though you will never see her." + +"Oh, well then, that's all knocked on the head," I said to Shin Shira, +who had been listening attentively. "I'll dismiss the man now, shall I, +and we'll talk over what's best to be done?" + +Shin Shira nodded, so I told the Slave I had no further use for him at +the moment, and he vanished. + +I stood looking at my little friend in great bewilderment. + +"It is a great power to possess," I said, regarding the lamp with awe +and amazement. "I hope I shan't do anything foolish with it." + +"Don't be silly," said Shin Shira crossly. "I only wish I had your +chance. Why, you can do _anything_ with a power like that. Leave it to +me to think over for to-night, and I'll tell you the best thing to do in +the morning." + +"But I'm starting for England the first thing to-morrow," I objected. + +"Oh! you must put that off for the present," was the decided reply. +"I'll be here about eleven, and we'll talk over what's best to be done. +Good-night!" and the little fellow held out his hand and strutted off. + +I slept very little that night, as you may imagine, and all sorts of +vague ideas came into my head as to what I should do with the wonderful +power which had so mysteriously come within my grasp. + +I had arrived at no definite decision as to what was best to be done, +however, by eleven the next morning, when, punctual to the minute, Shin +Shira, looking very spruce and alert, knocked at my door. + +I noticed with considerable interest that he wore in his turban the +diamond which I had so often admired, and he saw me looking at it at +once. + +"Yes," he said, with a series of little nods, "it was very easy. An hour +ago I called on the Chief Magistrate, and found him full of apologies +and quite convinced that he had made a grievous mistake. It appears that +the original diamond, which Mustapha stole, when found, had some of the +gold setting still attached to it, proving beyond doubt that it was the +missing jewel, so that my own was returned to me; and the Magistrate +even insisted on providing a new aigrette and in having it replaced in +my turban by a skilled person. So here it is," and he took off his +head-dress and regarded it with considerable pride. "But now to your +affairs. I am still in favour of the idea of the diamonds." + +"But how--" I began, when Shin Shira interrupted me. + +"Are you game for a very exciting adventure?" said he. + +"I--don't know." I hesitated. "I seem to have had about enough of +exciting adventures." + +"It will be something to write about," suggested the Dwarf, "and will +undoubtedly make your fortune." + +"Well," I said, "what is it? Let's hear." + +"Do you remember where Sinbad the Sailor got _his_ diamonds from?" + +"Yes, of course!" I replied, for I knew my _Arabian Nights_ by heart. + +"Very well, then," said Shin Shira. "All you've got to do is to get the +Slave of the Lamp to bring us the Roc, which I happen to know is still +alive; we can then fasten ourselves to his claws, and he will fly back +to his home with us, and there, as you know, the ground is strewn with +precious stones." + +"But why not send the Slave for them?" I argued. + +"He evidently doesn't know where they are, and it's as well to keep him +ignorant on the subject, in case the lamp passed out of your power, in +which case he might use his knowledge in favour of his next master. And, +besides, the Roc couldn't carry him there." + +"He wouldn't have to," said I. "The Slave evidently has the power of +being able to transport himself to any place at will." + +"But _we_ don't know where to direct him to," said Shin Shira +impatiently. He was evidently bent upon carrying out his project, and at +last I somewhat weakly consented to his proposal. + +I rubbed the lamp and summoned the Slave, who appeared promptly as +before. + +"I'm sorry to ask such a difficult thing, but can you catch the Roc for +me and bring it here?" said I, somewhat apologetically. + +"It shall be here, Master, in twenty minutes," replied the Slave +imperturbably, vanishing again at a wave from my hand. + +"I don't know, I'm sure, what I want diamonds for, when I have such a +willing servant," I grumbled, still rather unwilling to venture upon +what I regarded as an uncanny undertaking. + +"He can't provide you with money," said Shin Shira. + +"Why not?" I asked. + +"He'd have either to steal it or make it. If he did the latter it +wouldn't be legal, and, besides, if it was found out, you might be +arrested for circulating unauthorised coin." + +"Oh, very well, then, let's go on this wild-goose chase if you're so +bent upon it," I said, seeing that he was determined to have his way. A +few minutes later we heard a great commotion in the courtyard, and +looking from the balcony we saw my Slave carrying by the legs an +enormous bird, who turned his head about from side to side, staring +stupidly at everything around him. Shin Shira bustled about and got +ropes and straps, and with the assistance of the landlord and one or +two onlookers, we were soon harnessed in quite an ingenious manner to +the claws of our strange steed (if one may call him so). + +[Illustration: "His pinions were strong and mighty."] + +The Slave released him, and the Roc immediately flew slowly up into the +air, violently shaking his claws now and then in a vain endeavour to get +rid of the unusual weight. Fortunately, however, the straps and ropes, +which had been fastened over the bird's back as well, were very strong, +and so the worst thing that happened to us was a thorough shaking. + +This was of no consequence, and when I realised that I was quite safe, I +began actually to enjoy the strange experience of being carried through +the air, I knew not whither. In this case, however, the distance was not +nearly so great as one might have expected, for leaving the city, the +great bird soared over a tract of forest land, above one or two more +towns, and so out into the open desert, in the midst of which was a +range of rocky mountains. His pinions were strong and mighty, so that he +flew very rapidly, and in a little less than two hours he had alighted +on a kind of tableland, at the top of one of the mountain peaks, and we +were at our journey's end. + +There was no doubt but that we were at the right place, for the ground +was strewn with stones which, though uncut, sparkled, in the places +where they had been chipped or broken, with a hundred different +brilliant colours and shades. + +Shin Shira drew his knife and quickly cut the ropes and straps which +bound us to the now struggling bird, and he was soon released from his +uncomfortable burden. + +He shook himself once or twice and preened his great feathers, and then +stalked off to where an enormous nest could be seen in a cleft in the +rocks. + +I have no doubt the patient and stupid bird told his mate in bird +language what a very strange and uncomfortable experience he had had, +and at all events he kept out of our sight from that moment. + +Shin Shira at once busied himself by gathering some of the largest gems +as quickly as possible; and taking from his pockets some strong linen +bags which he had thoughtfully provided, he handed two to me and told me +to fill them for myself. + +This I did, and also put several into my various pockets. I was just +about to say that I thought we had sufficient, when Shin Shira called my +attention to a balloon hovering just above our heads. + +There were two people in the basket, and they were peering at us over +the edge through glasses. + +Presently one of them shouted an order, and the balloon quickly +descended, so that we could hear the rush of escaping gas as it was +being released. + +"Hullo there!" shouted a voice over our heads, "who are you? We've never +before heard that these mountains were inhabited." + +"Neither are they," replied Shin Shira. "We are geologists from Baghdad, +and are taking home specimens of the rocks and stones." + +"Oh, we're going to Baghdad. Can we give you a lift?" said the voice +kindly, and the balloon descended still further, till at last we were +able to see the two occupants distinctly. + +"It's really very kind of you;--I--I think we will accept your offer," +said I, while Shin Shira frowned disapproval. + +"Don't go," he whispered, "we can get some more precious stones if we +wait a little longer." + +"But how are we to get back?" I answered. + +"The Magic Lamp," said he. + +"Oh, but I've left that behind at the hotel," I replied. + +"In that case," said Shin Shira regretfully, "there's nothing else to be +done, I suppose." + +So we thankfully accepted the aeronauts' kind invitation, and were soon +floating comfortably towards Baghdad. + +I must confess that it was far more pleasant than the outward journey +had been. + +Before we got to Baghdad, though, Shin Shira had the misfortune to +disappear, much to the horror of the aeronauts, who thought he had +fallen out of the basket, and who would scarcely credit my explanation +when I told them of Shin Shira's peculiar misfortune in this respect. + +He left the two bags of precious stones behind him, and they stood +beside mine at the bottom of the basket. + +For a few minutes the balloon, being freed from Shin Shira's weight, +rapidly ascended, but presently there was a terrible escape of gas and +we began to descend again at a great rate. + +"Throw out the ballast!" cried one of the aeronauts, and the other, +seeing the four bags of what he thought were worthless stones, in his +haste and eagerness thrust them overboard. + +I was too alarmed at the moment to notice what he was doing, and it was +only when matters had been put right, by stopping the escape of gas, +that I realised what had happened. + +It was useless, however, to cry over spilt milk, and all my thought now +was to get back to the hotel in safety. + +This we eventually did, and my ballooning friends accepted my invitation +to take dinner at the hotel with me, so that after my adventure of the +day I had a very pleasant evening. It was not till the next morning that +I discovered that Aladdin's Lamp had vanished--had, in fact, probably +been stolen. + +There was nothing left to do now but to set out for England, which I +eventually reached; and on arriving in London, and having the stones +which I had brought back in my pockets valued, I found that there were +many worthless ones among them, and that the few good ones, when sold, +only realised sufficient to pay the rather heavy expenses of my journey +to and from Baghdad, with a very little over for myself to repay me for +the loss of my time. + + + + +MYSTERY NO. VIII + +SHIN SHIRA AND THE MAD BULL + + +The Verrinder children were in a state of great excitement and glee, for +we were going to spend the day at Burnham Beeches. + +The plan was to drive over in a wagonette and have a picnic under the +trees in the middle of the day. + +Lionel was amongst the party, and Lady Betty, a young friend of the +Verrinders, so that we were a merry crowd as we scrambled into the +wagonette. + +"It doesn't matter about your being old," said Fidge, snuggling up to me +and catching hold of my arm; "you're not like most grown-ups, and don't +mind us larking about a bit." + +"I hope not," I said smilingly. + +"Besides, he isn't old," chimed in Lady Betty, "at least not very," she +qualified. "He hasn't even got a beard, and if he wasn't a little bit +grown-up he couldn't afford to take us about," she added practically. + +"I expect we'll have some jolly decent grub," I heard Dick whisper to +Lionel. "Mrs. Putchy makes ripping pastry. I know, because we used to +stay at his place sometimes before you came." + +Marjorie looked up from her book and smiled and nodded across at me. +"It's lovely," she said, as we drove along. "We're going to have a +perfectly splendid day." + +We were sitting three aside, and there was just comfortable room for us; +and when we had got well into the country I began to tell the younger +ones, Fidge and Lady Betty, a story. Marjorie closed her book too and +leaned forward to listen, but the two big boys, evidently considering it +_infra dig_. to listen to anything so childish, were eagerly comparing +school experiences. Dick was at Harrow and Lionel at Marlborough, so +they had a lot to talk about. + +Presently, in the middle of my story, Marjorie called out, without +looking up, "Move further along, Dick, don't crowd so." + +"I'm not!" retorted Dick, "it's you. I can't move any further without +crowding Lionel out of the trap." + +"Oh, it's this cushion," cried Marjorie, turning about and trying to +remove what looked at first like a yellow silk cushion beside her. + +It was evidently too heavy though, and she gave a start as she touched +it. "Why!" she exclaimed, "it's got something alive in it!" + +We all turned around to see what she meant, and at once I knew that it +was Shin Shira appearing. + +"Oh, jolly!" cried all the children but Lionel, when I explained to them +what was happening. + +"It's all very well, and he's good fun and all that," said my young +cousin, "but if you'd had the experience that I had with his old Magic +Carpet, you'd be very careful not to have much to do with him--he's +rather dangerous." + +"But think of the adventures you have with him," said Dick enviously. "I +wouldn't funk it if he asked me to go anywhere with him." + +"Who's funking it?" demanded Lionel angrily. + +"Well, _you_ didn't seem to have much desire to repeat your experiences, +my friend," laughed Shin Shira. "My head and ears just happened to +arrive in time for me to gather that." + +Lionel turned very red. "Oh well, sir, I did have rather a rough time on +the Magic Carpet, you know." + +"So you did, so you did," agreed Shin Shira, amiably beaming on us all. +"And where may all you young people be off to this fine day?" + +"We're having a picnic," said Lady Betty shyly. + +"Going to have, you mean," corrected Fidge. "It isn't a picnic till you +begin to eat, you know." + +"Would you mind if I joined you?" asked the Yellow Dwarf, appealing to +me. + +"Well, it strikes me that you have done so," I laughed; "but we shall be +delighted with your company if you care to stay." + +"That's all right then," said Shin Shira, settling down comfortably; +"there's nothing I should like better this warm day," and he took off +his turban and rubbed his little bald head with a yellow silk +handkerchief. + +The sight of the jewel in it reminded him to ask me what became of the +two bags of diamonds he left in the basket of the balloon when he +disappeared on our way back to Baghdad. + +I told him what had happened, and how I had lost all of mine except the +few almost worthless ones which I had put in my pocket. + +"I was rather more fortunate," said Shin Shira, "for amongst those which +I saved were one or two very valuable ones, and several more which I can +sell at a very good price when it becomes necessary." + +"But I thought you could have whatever you wished for?" said Dick. + +"Oh no," replied the Dwarf, "not money, you know--almost anything else, +but not money, because, you see, it wouldn't be legal to make money, and +I can tell you I have often found it very awkward to have appeared in a +strange place with no money at all in my pocket. I have indeed once or +twice almost been tempted to sell even the jewel which the Princess gave +me. Now fortunately that will never be necessary." + +"What part of Burnham Beeches do you wish me to drive to, sir?" asked +the coachman at this moment; "we're just coming to the village." + +"Oh, you'd better put the horses up at the stables, and get a man to +help you with the hampers, and we'll walk on to the wood. You know where +I generally have luncheon." + +"Very well, sir!" said the man, touching his hat with his whip and +stopping at the old-fashioned inn in the village. + +We were all very glad to stretch our legs after the long ride, and +having had some lemonade and fruit at a little shop in the High Street, +we quite enjoyed the walk up to the wood. + +Here under the trees in a beautiful spot we sat down to wait for the men +with the hampers. + +After waiting for some time with growing impatience, our coachman turned +up with a rueful face. + +"There ain't no hamper, sir," he said. + +"What?" I exclaimed. "No hamper! What do you mean?" + +"There ain't no hamper in the trap, sir. I didn't have it up in front, +so I thought you had it in with you. Do you think it's fallen out, sir?" + +"By Jove, sir!" cried Lionel suddenly, "it's my fault. You told me to +see that the man put the hampers on in front, and I clean forgot all +about it." + +If it hadn't been such a serious matter it would have been highly +amusing to watch the blank dismay depicted on every face on hearing this +disastrous news. + +"What on earth are we to do?" exclaimed Dick, with almost tragic +concern. + +"There's only one thing to be done, I suppose," said I resignedly, after +sending the man away; "we shall have to return to the village and have +our luncheon at the inn." + +"It won't be a picnic at all then," pouted Lady Betty ruefully. + +Shin Shira was the only one who did not seem distressed about the +matter. He had seated himself cross-legged on the ground under one of +the old Beeches, and was slowly turning over the leaves of the little +yellow book fastened to his belt with a golden chain, which he always +wore. + +"I think I can be of some assistance to you here," said he, getting up +after a time and coming towards me. "Has anybody some paper and a +pencil?" + +[Illustration] + +This seemed a strange request at such a moment, but between us we +managed to find what he asked for. + +The Dwarf suddenly tore the paper into seven parts, handing us each one +and keeping one for himself. + +"Now," said he, "each of you write on the piece of paper the name of +something you would wish for luncheon." + +He handed me the pencil first, and just for fun I wrote "Lobster salad." + +Marjorie wrote "Game pie." + +Dick thought that "Pies and tarts and plenty of them" was a suitable +thing to ask for. + +Lionel could imagine nothing more to be desired than "Ham and tongue +sandwiches." + +Lady Betty wanted "Fruit and nuts," and Fidge, after various painful +attempts, wrote "Something nice to drink." + +Shin Shira read them out one by one. + +"Yes," he said, "they're all very well, but how are you going to eat +them when you have got them? Now you see what I wish for," and he +carefully wrote on his slip of paper, "Tablecloth, serviettes, plates, +dishes, knives, forks, spoons, salt, pepper, mustard, oil, vinegar, +glasses and a corkscrew." "There!" he exclaimed, "I think that will put +us right. Now watch carefully. You see there is no deception!" and he +laughingly rolled up his sleeves like a professional conjurer. + +He placed the paper upon which he had written his list into his turban, +shaking it violently. + +To our surprise, in a few seconds it sounded as though there was +something in it, and an instant later he drew forth from it a neatly +folded snow-white tablecloth, the serviettes, spoons, forks, and in fact +all the articles which he had named. + +He set the children to work laying the cloth, while he placed the other +lists in his turban, and in turn, beginning with a deliciously +fresh-looking lobster salad, and a large game pie, he brought forth +every one of the good things which had been wished for. + +Fidge's "something nice to drink" turned out to be bottles of lemonade, +milk, soda water, and a bottle of wine for the grown-ups. + +A more delicious feast it would be impossible to imagine. + +We were just sitting down to enjoy it, and I had stuck the knife and +fork into the game pie, when Marjorie sprang up with a little scream, +brushing something from her face. + +"Ough! a horrid caterpillar!" she cried. + +"And here's another!" declared Fidge, knocking one from his coat. + +"And an earwig!" exclaimed Dick, picking one up from the cloth. + +"Oh! and spiders!" screamed Lady Betty, jumping up and shaking her +frock. + +"Dear! dear! this will never do!" I said, for the place was swarming +with insects, owing to the very dry summer which we had had. + +"There ought to be a marquee like we had at the choir treat," said +Fidge. + +"Oh, I vote we get on with the grub," said Dick greedily. "The insects +won't kill us." + +"No, but a marquee would certainly be more comfortable," said Shin +Shira. "Come into the meadow just over there, and I'll see if I can +provide one." + +Leaving Lionel to guard our feast, the rest of us all trailed after him, +over the fence into the meadow, which was carpeted with soft long grass. + +"The only thing is, I can't exactly remember what a marquee is like," he +said. "Think, my dear boy, what the one was like which you had in your +mind." + +"Why, it had four poles, one at each corner," said Fidge, "and some iron +things connecting them at the top, and it was covered all over and round +the sides with some stripey stuff. Then there were ropes and things, and +pegs driven into the ground to tie the poles to, and a trestle table and +two long forms each side. That's all. Oh, yes, and Piggott & Son, +Tentmakers, was written in big letters on the stripey stuff." + +"Ah!" said Shin Shira, "I think I shall be able to imagine it +sufficiently well now. I'll try," and after consulting his little yellow +book again for instructions, he called for a stick, which the boys soon +cut from the hedge, and marked out a large square space in the meadow; +and then, using some magic words, he waved the stick three times, and +there stood the very marquee which Fidge had described, even to the +words Piggott & Son, Tentmakers, on the canvas covering. + +"Now go and bring the luncheon, children, and we'll try again," said +Shin Shira, in a rare good humour with himself (the little fellow was +evidently delighted to find that his fairy powers were acting so well +to-day); and soon we were seated around the table, which, I must +confess, I found a more comfortable way of enjoying my luncheon. + +To say that we did full justice to the good things provided, is but +mildly describing the way the food disappeared. + +The two elder boys in particular seemed as though they would never leave +off, but at last we settled down comfortably to the fruit and nuts, and +were just discussing what we should do with the marquee and its +contents, when we suddenly all started to our feet in alarm. + +A loud bellowing, combined with a dull sound of galloping hoofs, told us +that something was coming our way. + +I rushed to the door and looked out. + +"Good heavens! A mad bull!" I cried, "tearing this way at a furious +pace." + +Shin Shira sprang to the opening. + +"I'll attract him in another direction, and while he is after me you all +escape over the fence," he cried hurriedly, and snatching a red silk +handkerchief from Lionel's pocket, he rushed out into the open. + +The bull paused, and though I frantically shouted to Shin Shira to come +back, the brave little fellow flourished the red handkerchief to attract +the creature's attention. With a bellow of anger the infuriated animal, +holding his head down, tore after the Dwarf, who ran with surprising +swiftness in the opposite direction to the marquee. + +[Illustration] + +"Now children, quickly!" I cried, catching Lady Betty by the hand, and +we all made for the fence as quickly as possible. + +We were no sooner in safety than we turned to see how our gallant little +friend was faring. + +The yellow figure, still waving the red handkerchief, was running ahead +of the bull, but to our great distress we could see that the beast was +gaining on him. + +"Oh dear! he'll never reach the other side in time," cried Marjorie, +hiding her eyes in her hands and sinking to the ground in a panic of +fear and fright. + +Presently the boys gave an excited shout--"Hurrah! Bravo!" they cried, +jumping from the fence and skipping about, tossing their caps into the +air in an excess of relief. I sat down beside Marjorie and explained to +her what had happened. + +The bull was rapidly gaining on Shin Shira and the little fellow was +becoming exhausted, when, by a happy chance, at that very moment he +began to disappear, and before the bull could reach him he had vanished +altogether. + +The bull was rushing frantically about, bellowing and snorting and +looking in vain for him, and at last, turning his attention to the +marquee, he dashed into it, ripping up the canvas and over-turning the +table, smashing the dishes, and altogether making a most terrific +commotion. + +Now that we were all safe we could make light of the loss of the +marquee and its contents, and could even smile at the quaint remark of +Lady Betty when she said solemnly-- + +"In future I shall prefer to picnic where there are spiders, instead of +where mad bulls are about. In fact, I shall rather like spiders after +this: they're so gentle and don't bellow at all." + +The boys were still watching the havoc which the bull was creating, when +they noticed a man walking towards us beside the fence. + +He was a big, burly farmer and looked very angry. + +"Now then," he cried, in a surly voice, "what do you mean by all this?" + +"I don't understand you," I answered. + +"I speak plain English, don't I?" he said. "Wasn't it you that's been +trampling in my long grass, and building tents and what not on private +property? I'll learn you that I won't have no strangers in my meadows, I +can tell ye." + +"I'm very sorry if I've done any harm," said I, "and I'm sure if--" + +"_If_ you've done any harm!" shouted the farmer. "Look at all that long +grass trampled down all over the meadow." + +"Yes," I interrupted, "but it was your bull which did that." + +"He wouldn't have done it if you hadn't teased him," said the farmer +obstinately. "I saw one of you myself teasing him with a red rag and +making him furious. I'm not going to have any of it. Off you come with +me to the police station." + +"No, no, I can't do that," I cried in alarm; "I have these children with +me." + +"People shouldn't take children out if they can't do without getting +into mischief," grumbled the farmer. "No, you come along of me," and he +caught hold of my arm. + +"I'll give you my card," I said, "and if you have any serious complaint +to make you can write to me." + +"Aye, a likely story; and when I write to you, as likely as not I'll +find you've given me a wrong address." + +"Come back with me then to the inn: they know me there and will tell you +whether or no the address is a correct one." + +The old farmer was gradually persuaded to this course, though he +grumbled all the way there that I ought to be "locked up," while the +children, thoroughly subdued, walked in silence behind us. + +"You'll have to pay a pretty penny for damages," said he warningly, when +he had satisfied himself at the inn that I was known as "a gentleman +who often drove over there in the summer, and always paid for what he +had." + +I assured him that he should have what was just, and when he had gone I +ordered tea in the arbour at the end of the old-fashioned garden, and +over it we forgot the unfortunate, but exciting, termination to our +picnic. + +We arrived home quite safely. Sure enough, a few days afterwards I +received a preposterous claim for damage to the farmer's grass, which I +left my solicitor to deal with; and more extraordinary still, I had a +claim from Messrs. Piggott & Son for damages to a tent, which they +"could not trace as having been hired to me, but which I must have hired +at some time or another, since it bore their name marked as they only +marked their tents let out on hire." + +This letter also went to my solicitor, and to this day I've heard +nothing further about either matter. + + + + +MYSTERY NO. IX + +SHIN SHIRA AND THE QUEEN OF HEARTS + + +It was many months after this last adventure before I saw my friend Shin +Shira again. + +The summer was past, and it was the time of fires and warm drawn +curtains. One evening, after dinner, I was sitting alone in my study, +puzzling over a chess problem, when the servant brought me a card on +which I read-- + + "DR. SHIN SHIRA SCARAMANGA MANOUSA YAMA HAWA." + +"Oh!" I laughed, "show him in at once, please." For I had been longing +for an opportunity of thanking the gallant little fellow for the bravery +he had shown in the matter of the mad bull--a bravery to which some of +us, at all events, probably owed our lives. + +"Come in, come in! Delighted to see you!" I cried, getting up and +making him comfortable in "the Toad," the chair which I know he likes +best. I got out the tobacco jar, and we were soon chatting comfortably +over our pipes. + +"By the way," I said, picking up his card again and looking at it, when +we had exhausted most of the topics of conversation which came to our +minds, "I didn't know before that you were a doctor." + +"Oh, I don't practise, and I seldom use the title except on my cards. It +was given to me by the King of Hearts very many years ago. Ha-ha-ha!" +And Shin Shira laughed heartily at what was evidently a humorous +recollection. + +"Won't you tell me about it, please?" said I. + +"I don't know," replied the Dwarf, "that there is much to tell. + +"It was while I was travelling round the world in my earlier days, and I +had come, in the course of my wanderings, upon the country ruled over by +the King of Hearts and his most charming Queen. + +"Talk about turtle-doves! I had never seen such a perfectly devoted +couple before in my life. They were like a pair of happy lovers, +although they must have been married several years before I knew them. + +"I happened to appear at their Majesties' dinner-table one evening when +they were dining alone, just as dinner was being served. + +"Of course they were greatly astonished at seeing me suddenly appear in +their presence, especially as I arrived at a particularly awkward +moment, when, the servants being busy with the dishes and having their +backs turned, the King was squeezing her Majesty's hand under the table, +and looking lovingly into her eyes. + +"The King turned to the Lord Chief Butler, when that official returned, +and looking at me curiously, said, 'It's very thoughtless of me, but I +do not remember that I invited any guests for this evening.' + +"'I had heard nothing of it either, your Majesty,' said the Lord Chief +Butler, pursing up his lips and looking at me severely. 'Shall I request +the Lord High Footman and the Lord Under Footman to remove the person?' + +"'By no means,' said the King kindly; 'I will ask him myself what brings +him here.' + +"'It was a matter of compulsion, rather than of inclination, your +Majesty,' said I. And I explained as well as I was able the curious +affliction from which I suffer, of having to appear and disappear at the +fairies' pleasure. + +"'Most interesting--most!' said the Queen, smiling sweetly, 'and we +should be most inhospitable if we did not make you welcome here for so +long as the fairies will spare you to us.' + +"This gracious speech, and the Queen's beauty, quite won my heart, and +putting my hand on my heart, I bowed in the most graceful manner that I +could command. + +"The Lord Chief Butler, seeing that I was in favour with their +Majesties, now brought me a plate, and some glasses, and waited upon me +most obsequiously. + +"'Tarts, my lord!' he announced, handing me a silver dish on which were +piled some rather stodgy-looking jam affairs. + +"'No thank you,' I replied. + +"The man looked horrified, and the King and Queen greatly embarrassed by +my refusal. 'Er--tarts--er--your Highness,--er--her Majesty's own make,' +whispered the Lord Chief Butler. + +"'Oh, then by all means I will change my mind,' said I gallantly, and I +took two of the tarts on my plate, while the King and Queen looked on +approvingly. + +"I can safely say that in all my wanderings, through all these years, I +have never before or since tasted such exceedingly unpleasant tarts. + +"I hesitate to say more, out of respect to the most beautiful and +gracious Queen who ever lived, but I could say a great deal. + +"However, I managed to get through them, even to the bitter end, and +had the satisfaction of seeing her Majesty look greatly delighted. + +"'I really must have another one, my love,' declared the King; 'they are +most delicious, made as they were by your own royal and beautiful +hands.' + +"'No--no--dearest,' smiled the Queen, her pride in her pastry battling +with her consideration for her husband's health, 'you have already had +two.' + +"'Perhaps, my darling, you are right,' replied the King, with a sigh of +relief, and hurriedly motioning to the Lord Chief Butler to remove his +plate. + +"'Perhaps our guest, though--' began the Queen sweetly. + +"'No--no--thank you, your Majesty,' I hastened to say. 'I +never--_never_--by any chance indulge in more than two, under doctor's +strict orders.' + +"'Very well then,' said her Majesty, 'we will have dessert.' + +"The rest of the dinner was uneventful, and I was more and more +impressed as the time went on with the gracious and simple bearing of +the exalted personages of whom I was an uninvited guest. + +"At last her Majesty rose, gave me a bow, and was led with old-fashioned +courtesy by his Majesty to the door, which was thrown open by the +servants, and the King and I were left alone to our coffee and cigars. +After we had talked on various subjects for some time, I ventured to +express my admiration of, and devotion to, the gracious lady who had +just left us, and the King's eyes sparkled with delight. + +"'You may well admire her, sir; she is rightly beloved for her +graciousness and beauty from one end of my kingdom to the other, and her +thoughtfulness and kindness to myself are beyond expression. + +"'I _must_ tell you of a little incident (which you have just shared in) +to prove to you how wholly devoted she is to my interests. + +"'I have, as many other royal personages have at times, some difficulty +in regulating my affairs so as to make both ends meet comfortably. + +"'Her Majesty knew of this, and immediately began to take cooking +lessons with a view to cooking for us when we are alone, and thus saving +expenses in the kitchen. The tarts you tasted to-day are her Majesty's +first attempt.' + +"'R-eally!' I murmured, seeing that the King paused as though he +expected me to say something. + +"'Yes,' continued his Majesty, 'and to-morrow she has made me promise +to catch her some blackbirds, with which to make a pie.' + +"'Catch them?' I cried; 'why not shoot them?' + +"'Oh! the Queen wouldn't think of letting me do anything so cruel, she +is _so_ tender-hearted. But you'll come with me to-morrow, and help me +to catch some, won't you?' + +"I assured his Majesty that unless I had unfortunately to disappear +before then, I should be delighted, and we went up to join her Majesty +in the drawing-room. + +"We found the Queen surrounded by her Maids of Honour, of whom some were +sitting at the tambour frames, others doing fine embroidery, while two +of their number were at the piano playing and singing. + +"I was presented to these ladies, and, at the Queen's request, related +some of the extraordinary adventures which, as you know, have, at one +time or another in my long career, befallen me. The evening was quite a +success, and I felt that I had indeed fallen upon my feet in such +charming company. + +"At a moderately early hour we retired, and in the morning, soon after +breakfast, his Majesty and I started on our expedition in quest of +blackbirds for the Queen's pie. + +"Her Majesty and the Maids of Honour watched us start off from the +balcony, and several retainers followed at a respectful distance, +carrying various bags and implements of which I could not even imagine +the uses. + +"When we had got some distance from the Castle, his Majesty whispered to +me confidentially that he must confess that he didn't know much about +this sort of thing. + +"'Er--do you recommend--er--_salt_ for blackbirds?' he inquired +anxiously. + +"'What for?' I asked. + +"'To put on their tails, you know,' said the King. 'I have a +recollection of hearing something, somewhere, about catching birds by +putting salt on their tails. But perhaps that doesn't refer to +blackbirds?' he added. + +"I couldn't help smiling a little at the simple, good-natured, +inexperienced King, but suggested immediately afterwards that some grain +scattered before and inside a sieve propped up with a stick, to which +some string was attached, would probably be a more effectual way of +catching the birds. + +"'What a brilliant idea!' said the King. 'I'll send the salt back and +order some sieves, grain, sticks and string, as you suggest. Is there +anything else?' + +"'Something to put the birds in if we catch any, your Majesty,' said I. + +"'Oh! I've thought of that,' said the King, 'and have several baskets +ready.' + +"The men were soon back with the sieves, and I quickly rigged up two of +them as traps; and having baited them, I showed the King how to hide and +pull the string directly one of the birds was under the sieve. + +"Fortunately, blackbirds seemed to abound in that country, and there +were soon several fluttering about, pecking at and picking up the grain. + +"Presently, one got under my sieve, and pulling the support away by the +string, I was fortunate enough to catch it. The King was delighted, and +the more so when a few minutes afterwards he trapped two at once, in the +same manner. + +"After this, the 'sport,' if it could be called so, became fast and +furious, and ended in our catching four-and-twenty birds between us. + +"This the King considered would be sufficient, so we set off to the +Castle again, the men bearing the baskets in triumph before us. + +"'Oh! the dear, sweet little things!' cried Her Majesty, when she was +shown our captives, 'and how clever of you to have caught them all! +They'll make a perfectly lovely pie!' And she set off in high glee to +the kitchens, to try her hand at the culinary art again. + +[Illustration: "This was carefully set before the King."] + +"The afternoon was spent in the beautiful gardens surrounding the +Castle, playing fives, for which there was a specially built court, and +practising at archery, so that the time quickly passed, till we were +called in by the first dinner gong. + +"The Maids of Honour, together with some of the State Ministers, joined +us at dinner, and I could see that the Queen, though sweet and gracious +as ever, was very anxious as the dinner proceeded. + +"Presently there was a flourish of trumpets heard at the door, and two +pages appeared, bearing a silver salver upon which was an enormous pie. +This was carefully set before the King, and his Majesty, after smiling +at the Queen rather nervously, put the knife into the crust and removed +a portion of it. + +"Immediately afterwards, there was a great commotion heard from inside +the pie, and first one bird and then another began to sing, hopping out +of the pie and on to the table, evidently delighted at regaining its +liberty. + +"Finally, amid the breathless silence of all about the table, they flew +off through the open window, and nothing was left but the crust. + +"The Queen sat back in her chair looking half-triumphant and +half-ashamed. + +"'I'm afraid it isn't a very satisfactory pie, from the eating point of +view,' she faltered, 'but I _couldn't_ have the poor pretty little +things killed, and so I put them in the dish alive, and when the crust, +which I baked separately, was nearly cold, I cut a hole in the top, so +that they could breathe, and put it over them.' + +"'It does your heart much credit, my love,' cried the King, 'and, the +thought of cutting a hole in the crust was a very kind one.' + +"And indeed, wherever and in whatever country I have been since that +time, many years ago, and have related the story, the ladies of that +country have always made a hole in the top of their pies, in honour of +the beautiful and kind Queen who first invented it. + +"I did not hear much more of the conversation which followed this +episode, for unfortunately, just then, I felt myself disappearing, and +had only just time to incline my head respectfully to the King and Queen +before I had vanished." + +"But," I remarked, when Shin Shira left off speaking, "you haven't told +me yet how you came to get the title of 'Doctor.'" + +"Oh, that's all part of the same story," said Shin Shira, refilling his +pipe; "it has a sequel. About seven months after the events which I have +narrated" (you'll have noticed that Shin Shira loved using long words +when he could), "I found myself again in the same country, and I thought +I could not leave it without paying my respects to the amiable King and +Queen; so, one fine afternoon, I made my way up to the Castle. + +[Illustration] + +"I found the King in his counting-house, industriously counting out his +money. He left off when he saw me, though, and came forward to greet me +heartily. + +"'The Queen, bless her! will be as delighted to see you as I am,' said +he; 'we'll go and find her. I fancy I know where she is.' + +"He led the way at once to the parlour, and there we found her Majesty +looking sweet and amiable as ever. + +"She was rather confused at being discovered in the act of eating some +bread and honey. + +"'I am suffering from a very poor appetite,' her Majesty explained, +after she had made me welcome, 'and have eaten nothing at all to-day, +and just now I fancied a little honey, for which I have a great liking.' + +"'I hope your Majesty is not unwell, that your appetite is so feeble?' I +inquired with great solicitation. + +"'Oh no!' replied the Queen, with an effort at brightness; 'I'm a little +worried, that's all.' + +"'We're all worried, more or less,' chimed in the King. '_You_ remember +that blackbird pie, don't you?' + +"'Yes, your Majesty, of course I do,' said I, smiling at the +recollection. + +"'Well, those birds, the ones which were put into it, have become very +spiteful and dangerous. They have taken to haunting the precincts of the +Castle, and attack the servants when they go into the garden, +particularly the laundry maids; for, when they go into the garden to +hang out the clothes, they have to use both hands to do so, and then +these wretched birds fly down and peck at their noses. One poor creature +lost hers altogether, with the result that all of the maids have given +notice, and we can't get laundry maids for love or money.' + +"'It's very trying,' said the Queen; 'the poor King has to wear his +things much longer than he should, and I have a difficulty in even +getting a clean pocket-handkerchief.' + +"It was a curious difficulty to be in, certainly, and I felt very +anxious to help them if I could, so I asked permission to be allowed to +visit the servants' hall, and talk to the maids on the subject. + +"This was readily given, and I spoke to them as earnestly as I could +about their good Queen and mistress, and how willing and eager they +ought to be to do everything they could for her. + +"I could see that they felt this keenly themselves, for some of them +were in tears when I spoke of the Queen's goodness to everybody about +her. + +"'B--but our precious noses, sir!' sobbed one good-natured girl; 'we +can't afford to lose them, can we now?' + +"'No,' I said, 'but I have thought of a way by which it will be quite +safe for you to go into the garden. + +"'Now, like good creatures, the first thing in the morning, set to and +get some laundry work done, and I'll go out and hang up some of the +clothes, and you'll see that the birds won't hurt me.' + +"They all agreed to this, and the good-natured girl who had been crying +said, 'I'll come with you, if you like, and show you how to hang the +things up.' + +"'So you shall,' said I, and went up to my room to make preparations for +the morning. + +"It was quite simple. I sent for some coloured wax, and having made a +wooden model of a nose, I made on it some little waxen cases which could +be worn over one's own nose, and _then_, if the birds pecked at it, it +wouldn't matter in the least. + +"In the morning, the wax cases were quite set and hard, and when the +maid and I went out to hang up the clothes, it was great fun to see the +bewilderment of a large blackbird when he flew away with the maid's +false nose, and she calmly stuck on another. + +"The birds soon gave up their evil ways after that, but for some months, +as a precaution, the maids never ventured out without a nose protector. + +"It was for this useful invention that the King of Hearts bestowed on +me the title of 'Doctor to His Majesty's Household.'" + +"H'm!" I remarked, when he had finished, "it's a very remarkable story. +I seem to have heard of some of the incidents before, somehow." + +"Very likely, very likely," said Shin Shira, "Well, I must be going +now." And he shook hands and went out by the door, in a sensible way for +once. + +As he went out of the house, I heard him singing softly-- + + "The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts + All on a summer's day"-- + +And then he changed his song to-- + + "Sing a song of sixpence, + A pocketful of rye, + Four-and-twenty blackbirds + Baked in a pie. + + "The maid was in the garden + Hanging out the clothes, + And along came a blackbird + And nipped off her nose." + +And I remembered then why his story had seemed so familiar. + + + + +MYSTERY NO. X AND LAST + +SHIN SHIRA DISAPPEARS + + +The day after my little friend had related to me his experiences in the +land of the King and Queen of Hearts, I was surprised to receive a +portmanteau addressed to me, which, on my opening it, I found to contain +the little yellow costume, including the turban with the diamond +ornament, which Shin Shira had always worn. + +There was no note enclosed, and I naturally wondered very much what had +occasioned this strange parcel being sent to me. + +I had no means of communicating with Shin Shira, and so had to wait with +what patience I could summon for an explanation from him. + +I had not long to wait, fortunately, for in the afternoon of the same +day the little fellow burst in upon me, clothed in a frock coat, tall +hat and regulation costume of a gentleman in easy circumstances. + +I must say he was not nearly such a picturesque looking person as he had +been in his Oriental dress. He threw himself into a chair and seemed +overflowing with news. + +"I've decided to settle down," he said breathlessly. "I didn't tell you +yesterday because my arrangements were not quite completed, but I've +begun now, and I'm going to settle down." + +"What _do_ you mean?" I inquired, utterly bewildered by my friend's +abrupt statement. + +"Why," he began, "I'm tired of this constant changing from one place to +another; and as I've not had to disappear now for some time, I've come +to the conclusion that the fairies have overlooked the misdeeds of my +ancestors and are going to give me a rest. I've taken a house in the +highly respectable neighbourhood of Russell Square, and I've furnished +it by means of my fairy powers with everything that is necessary; +besides this, I've realised the full value of all my precious stones, +except, of course, that which the dear Princess gave me, and have opened +a banking account. There!" and the little fellow sat back, evidently +feeling quite exhausted by his long speech and vainly searching for his +little fan, which, of course, was not there. + +I scarcely knew what to say to this surprising statement, and waited for +further developments before replying. "I've engaged a housekeeper to +look after me, and two servants also; and--as you see--have discarded my +Oriental costume for one more suitable to this country and climate; I +sent you my old costume and turban by a trustworthy messenger this +morning, having changed at my tailor's into the attire in which you see +me. I hope it has arrived safely?" + +I assured him that it had, and sent for the portmanteau in order that he +might see for himself. + +"That's all right, then," he said with a sigh of relief; "and now I want +to hand you this blank cheque which I have signed, and, in case I +disappear, I want you to draw out the whole amount standing to my +account at the bank at the time, so that I may be able to get it in case +I appear again. I have an idea that I shall not have to undergo these +changes many more times. Of course, if I never come back, the money will +be yours, as I have no one else to leave it to." + +I thanked him very heartily for the trust he reposed in me, and assured +him that his wishes should be carried out to the letter. + +"That's all right, then!" he exclaimed in a tone of satisfaction; "and +now I want to arrange for a nice little party at my new home to act as a +kind of--er--home warming--I think you call it. Ask the children and any +of your friends who know me, and, if you let me know beforehand how many +are coming, I will arrange for what, I hope, will turn out to be a very +enjoyable evening." + +We fixed the date, and after my little friend had gone, I wrote +informally, as Shin Shira wished, to as many of my friends as would be +likely to wish to come, to ask them to attend. + +Nearly everybody accepted--for the little fellow was a great favourite +with everybody who knew him--and, as Shin Shira looked in every day to +know how the replies were coming in, I was able to tell him in a few +days that we might expect from twenty to twenty-five guests. + +From then till the date fixed Shin Shira was very busy, and I only saw +him once or twice, and on the eventful day I did not see him at all. + +The Verrinder children were coming in the carriage with me, and, +according to arrangement, we were the first to arrive. + +There was an awning at the door and a red carpet laid down the steps +and across the pavement; the house was brilliantly lighted, and +evidently grand preparations had been going on. + +I hurried up the steps, followed by Marjorie, Dick and Fidge. + +The servant who stood at the open door, and who knew me by sight, was +looking very anxious, and whispered, "The housekeeper would like to +speak to you at once in the dining-room, sir." + +"Anything the matter?" I asked. + +"Yes, sir, the master--he--he can't be found," said the man. + +I hurried down to the dining-room, and found the housekeeper in her best +black silk dress, looking even more distressed than the manservant had +been. + +"The master, sir," she began at once when I entered the room. "Whatever +_is_ to be done? He can't be found anywhere--and the guests beginning to +arrive--" + +"Never mind," said I, after thinking a moment. "I've no doubt he'll be +here presently--and, in the meantime, as I know most if not all of the +guests, I'll receive them, and explain that he has probably been called +away and will no doubt be back presently." + +I hurried up into the drawing-room, and found that by this time several +guests had arrived, and were looking greatly surprised at finding no +host to receive them. + +I apologised for my friend as well as I was able, and pointed out that +probably he would soon return, and, in the meantime, he would doubtless +wish us to make ourselves at home. + +We found everything arranged for our comfort. Professional singers gave +an excellent concert in the drawing-room--an excellent supper was served +downstairs. + +The children were not forgotten, and, while the concert had been +proceeding in the drawing-room, an amusing entertainment was provided +for them in another room. Beside each plate at supper, also, there was a +little present, chosen carefully, and our names written distinctly on +each. + +Everything was thoroughly well thought out and provided for--but--there +was no host to receive our thanks and to bid us "good-bye" when we went. + +The whole affair, therefore, though I naturally did my best for my +friend's sake to "keep things going," concluded rather flatly, and I +went home after it was all over feeling not a little depressed and +anxious. + +I called the next day, and the day after, but Shin Shira had not +returned, nor had anything been heard of, or from him. + +It was most mysterious, and I could only account for it by the fact that +the fairies may have, in fact _must_ have, caused him to disappear once +more. + +The housekeeper told me, on my inquiring of her, that he had been at +home the whole of the day on which the party had been held, +superintending all the arrangements, and had gone up early to his room +to dress, and from that time all trace of him had been lost. + +I was very sorry, and the more so as days and weeks flew by and nothing +happened to give us any clue as to his whereabouts. + +After a couple of months, I told the servants that they had better seek +other situations, and when they had done so I let them go. I closed the +house, and waited for events. + +It must have been quite a year later when I received the following +letter-- + + "_Isle of San Sosta_, + "_ South Pacific._ + + "MY DEAR FRIEND, + + "I write once more to let you know that I am again in great trouble, + but this time there is nothing in which you can help me, though I + know, in the goodness of your heart, you would wish to do so if it + were possible. + + "When, in accordance with the fairies' decree, to which I must + always most humbly bow, I was called upon to disappear at the very + moment when I was hoping to welcome my guests to my newly + established home, I found myself most unexpectedly in this place. + + "It is an island very little known, and far out of the beaten track + of vessels. + + "Once a year, however, a trader calls, bringing and taking letters + and exchanging for the produce of this place such necessities as we + require from more civilised lands. + + "The people of this country are very simple and of primitive habits, + so much so that it is the custom here if a maiden remains unmarried + after a certain age, and becomes a burden to her parents, to turn + her out of the community, and leave her to seek food for herself or + starve in the desert. + + "This cruel and unnatural law I have constantly tried to get + altered, and the King and his advisers consent to do so only on one + condition, and that is, that I find a husband for the only unmarried + daughter of the King, who is at present an outcast in the + wilderness, being of most uncomely appearance and greatly deformed. + + "I have been out into the wilderness to see the poor creature + myself. She is indeed in a pitiful plight, being far from fair to + look upon, and gaunt and thin with exposure and suffering. + + "I conversed with her and found her intelligent, and patient + under her great afflictions; in fact, her sad case so touched my + heart that, not only for her sake, but for the sake of the other + unfortunate maidens who, unless this cruel law is altered, may + have to suffer a fate similar to hers, I have decided to marry + her myself, and thus rescue her and others who may follow her. + + "I think of my sweet Princess and feel that she would approve--for + never shall I see her dear face again--and in making this marriage + she would know I was inclined to it from pity and not from any + untruthfulness to her most dear memory. + + "The stone she gave me I cannot bear to see any more, and this I + ask you to keep _until I claim it again_; all my other goods and + the money in the bank I leave to you absolutely. + + "I feel that I may never see you again, and if this be so, accept + my hearty and devoted thanks for all you have done for me. Think + of me sometimes and + + "Believe me to be, + "Your friend always, + "SHIN SHIRA SCARAMANGA MANOUSA YAMA HAWA." + + +I sat a long while after I had read this letter, thinking of all the +strange happenings since I had known my little friend. + +I had grown quite to love and respect him, and when I thought of the +noble and chivalrous deed he intended performing in order to save the +poor creature in that far-off island, I felt that he was indeed worthy +of all admiration. + +I got down a map, and tried in vain to find the island he mentioned. It +was not marked in any of those which I had by me. + +Then I found the portmanteau which Shin Shira had left with me, and +looked at the little yellow costume, which reminded me so much of my +friend. + +In lifting it from the bag, something heavy dropped from between the +folds. It was the Magic Crystal. I held it in my hand, and wished I +could see what Shin Shira was doing at that moment. The thought had no +sooner entered my head than I gave an exclamation of surprise. + +A mist in which vague figures were moving filled the crystal, and +presently I could see distinctly a large crowd of people gathered +together. A man and woman stood beneath a canopy--the man I soon +perceived was Shin Shira himself, still clothed in the immaculate frock +coat and tall hat in which I had last seen him dressed. The woman was a +poor, deformed thing and pitifully plain--her gaudy dress and many +jewels but helped to point the contrast. + +Before them stood a priest, and at the side the King, surrounded by his +warriors. It was evidently the celebration of a wedding, and the +ceremony was over, for the bridegroom led the bride from under the +canopy and knelt with her before the King, who stretched out his hands +as though he were giving them his blessing--and then, to my +astonishment, a most marvellous thing happened. A blaze of light flashed +across the scene, and a beautiful being, who I am convinced was the +Fairy Queen herself, floated down from the heights above, accompanied by +a crowd of beings nearly as beautiful as herself. She waved her wand +three times, and the bride became a beautiful Princess, and Shin Shira +grew tall, young and handsome in an instant. + +The King and his court gazed in amazement at the scene, and the Princess +fell into Shin Shira's arms. + +The Fairy waved her wand again, and a bright crown appeared on Shin +Shira's head, in which flashed a single stone of great brilliancy. At +the same instant the jewel vanished from the yellow turban beside me. + +The crystal grew clear as the beautiful scene faded away, and that was +the last glimpse I ever had of my little friend. + +I often think of him, and I like to imagine, as, indeed, I believe to be +the case, that the fairies have restored to him his full powers, and +that the bride he had so unselfishly wedded turned out to be the very +Princess to whom he had been faithful throughout his long life. + +It may be so--if the crystal spoke truly. Who knows? + + + THE END + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Mysterious Shin Shira, by George Edward Farrow + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MYSTERIOUS SHIN SHIRA *** + +***** This file should be named 17843.txt or 17843.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/7/8/4/17843/ + +Produced by Malcolm Farmer and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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