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 there the obliging slave went through an exhibition of sword-play, stamping and slashing and lunging with enthusiasm, while Fen, who by this time would not have been surprised had the deck opened and swallowed both Siddereticus and the swordsman, watched entranced, with shining eyes. Finally, having put all the fancy touches he could think of into his performance, the man made a low bow both to Fen and to his master, at a word from whom he vanished over the side.

"And I must disappear, too," said Siddereticus.

Fen caught his hand.

"No!" he cried; "you mustn't go away, Siddereticus! You must stay—always!"

"I shall come back again, never fear, Effendi," said the Djinn. Taking a notebook from his pocket, he scribbled a few lines, and, folding the paper, stuck it in 17