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 and very strong and entirely tea for himself.

"Wait!" he commanded, as Fen raised the cup. "We must drink three times—the mystic, ancient ceremony. Touch your cup to mine—'salaam, Effendi, may it benefit you!'—say it, Fen."

Siddereticus took a sip of tea and extended his cup again. Thrice they executed the solemn rite. Fen repeating, "Salaam, Effendi, may it benefit you!" in awestruck tones.

The sandwiches were delicious. They had something in them that Fen had never before tasted, but Siddereticus would not tell him what it was. When the tea was finished and they were eating figs, and the Djinn had lit a cigarette, Mammy appeared, poking her head cautiously around the corner of the deck-house.

"Please do go away. Mammy!" begged Fen. "We don't need you at all, because