rt's got something inside his Norfolk--that's Robert, he's my
young brother. Now don't be upset and have a fit or anything sir. Of
course, I know when you called your shop the "Phoenix" you never thought
there was one; but there is--and Robert's got it buttoned up against his
chest!'

'If it's an old curio in the form of a Phoenix, I dare say the Board--'
said the nice gentleman, as Robert began to fumble with his buttons.

'It's old enough,' said Anthea, 'going by what it says, but--'

'My goodness gracious!' said the gentleman, as the Phoenix, with one
last wriggle that melted into a flutter, got out of its nest in the
breast of Robert and stood up on the leather-covered table.

'What an extraordinarily fine bird!' he went on. 'I don't think I ever
saw one just like it.'

'I should think not,' said the Phoenix, with pardonable pride. And the
gentleman jumped.

'Oh, it's been taught to speak! Some sort of parrot, perhaps?'

'I am,' said the bird, simply, 'the Head of your House, and I have come
to my temple to receive your homage. I am no parrot'--its beak curved
scornfully--'I am the one and only Phoenix, and I demand the homage of
my High Priest.'

'In the absence of our manager,' the gentleman began, exactly as though
he were addressing a valued customer--'in the absence of our manager, I
might perhaps be able--What am I saying?' He turned pale, and passed
his hand across his brow. 'My dears,' he said, 'the weather is unusually
warm for the time of year, and I don't feel quite myself. Do you know,
for a moment I really thought that that remarkable bird of yours had
spoken and said it was the Phoenix, and, what's more, that I'd believed
it.'

'So it did, sir,' said Cyril, 'and so did you.'

'It really--Allow me.'

A bell was rung. The porter appeared.

'Mackenzie,' said the gentleman, 'you see that golden bird?'

'Yes, sir.'

The other breathed a sigh of relief.

'It IS real, then?'

'Yes, sir, of course, sir. You take it in your hand, sir,' said the
porter, sympathetically, and reached out his hand to the Phoenix, who
shrank back on toes curved with agitated indignation.

'Forbear!' it cried; 'how dare you seek to lay hands on me?'

The porter saluted.

'Beg pardon, sir,' he said, 'I thought you was a bird.'

'I AM a bird--THE bird--the Phoenix.'

'Of course you are, sir,' said the porter. 'I see that the first minute,
directly I got my breath, sir.'

'That will do,' said the gentleman.