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 "You'd better," cautioned Fen; "he's a very powerful Djinn. If you don't do what he says, he might magic you."

"I might," said Siddereticus.

"Dear me, I certainly don't want to be magicked," cried Auntie, "though I do not like to have Djinns carrying off my perfectly lovely pictures without so much as saying 'by your leave'!"

Siddereticus raised his hand and chanted:

"May the Four Ends of the Earth prosper you, and may you sail the Seven Seas in safety evermore. I, Siddereticus, say it—nor shall I forget this that you have done. Anno Mundi—Ante Meridian—Ad Infinitem."

Whereupon Cynthia swept him a deep curtsey, looked him square in the face, and said gravely:

"Signor Siddereticus, the pleasure is mine. De gustibus non est disputandum.