" ," , still displaying the drum's interior, " no deception----"

I put out my hand to grip him, and he eluded me by dexterous movement I snatched again, and he turned from me and pushed open door to escape "Stop ! " , and he laughed, receding I leapt after him--into utter darkness

_Thud !

"Lor' bless my 'eart ! I didn't see you coming, sir ! "

in Regent Street, and I had collided with decent-looking working

man; and yard away, perhaps, and looking little perplexed with himself, was Gip some sort of apology, and then Gip had turned and come with bright little smile, for moment he had missed me

And carrying four parcels arm !

He secured immediate possession finger

second rather at loss I stared round the door Magic Shop, and, behold, not there ! no door, no shop, nothing, only the common pilaster shop where they sell pictures window chicks ! .

possible mental tumult; I walked straight kerbstone and held up my umbrella for cab

"'Ansoms," said Gip, in note of culminating exultation

I helped him in, recalled my address with an effort, and got in also Something unusual proclaimed itself in my tail-coat pocket, and and discovered glass ball With petulant expression I flung it street

Gip said nothing

For space neither of us spoke

"Dadda ! " said Gip, at last, "that was proper shop ! "

round problem of just how the whole thing had seemed to him He looked completely undamaged-- , good; neither scared nor unhinged, simply tremendously satisfied afternoon's entertainment, and there arms were the four parcels

Confound it ! what ?

"Um ! " "Little boys can't go to shops like that every day "

He received this usual stoicism, and for moment sorry his father and not his mother, and so couldn't suddenly there, _coram publico, hansom, kiss him After all, , the thing wasn't so very bad

But only when we opened the parcels that I really began reassured Three contained boxes of soldiers, quite ordinary lead soldiers, but of so good quality as Gip altogether forget that originally these parcels Magic Tricks only genuine sort, fourth contained kitten, little living white kitten, in excellent health and appetite and temper

this unpacking with sort of provisional relief I hung about nursery for quite an unconscionable time .

That happened six And now beginning all right The kitten had only the magic natural to all kittens, soldiers seemed as steady company as any colonel could desire And Gip---- ?

The intelligent parent will understand that cautiously with Gip

But I went as day , "How would you like your soldiers alive, Gip, and march about ? "

"Mine do," said Gip "I just have word before I open the lid "

"Then they march about alone ? "

"Oh, quite_, dadda I shouldn't like them didn't "

I displayed no unbecoming surprise, and since then taken occasion to drop in upon him , unannounced, soldiers were about, but never discovered them performing in anything like magical manner .

It's so difficult

There's also question of finance an incurable habit of paying bills up and down Regent Street looking shop inclined , indeed, that matter honour is satisfied, , since Gip's name and address are known , leave it people, whoever , to send in their bill in their own time