on't care to know about that; I only want to
know what place this is."

The Goblin stared about him in a dazed manner for a moment, and then
said, "Sindbad the Sailor's house."

"Really and truly?" said the delighted Davy.

"Really and treally truly," said the Goblin. "And here he comes now!"

Davy looked around and saw an old man coming toward them across the
lawn. He was dressed in a Turkish costume, and wore a large turban and
red morocco slippers turned up at the toes like skates; and his white
beard was so long that at every fourth step he trod upon it and fell
flat on his face. He took no notice whatever of either Davy or the
Goblin, and, after falling down a number of times, took his seat upon
one of the little carpet footstools, and taking off his turban began
stirring about in it with a large wooden spoon. As he took off his
turban Davy saw that his head, which was perfectly bald, was neatly laid
out in black and white squares like a chess-board.

"This here Turk is the most reckless old story-teller that ever was
born," said the Goblin, pointing with his thumb over his shoulder at
Sindbad. "You can't believe half he tells you."

"I'd like to hear one of his stories, for all that," said Davy.

"All right!" said the Goblin, promptly; "just come along with me, and
he'll give us a whopper."

As they started off to join Sindbad, Davy was much surprised to see that
the Goblin was much taller than he had been; in fact, he was now almost
up to Davy's shoulder.

"Why, I verily believe you've been growing!" exclaimed Davy, staring at
him in amazement.

"I have," said the Goblin, calmly. "But I only did it to fit these
clothes. It's much handier, you see, than having a suit made to order."

"But, suppose the clothes had been too small?" argued Davy.

"Then I'd have grown the other way," replied the Goblin, with an immense
smile. "It doesn't make a bit of difference to me which way I grow.
Anything to be comfortable is my rule;" and as he said this they came to
where Sindbad was sitting, busily stirring with his great spoon.

As Davy and the Goblin sat down beside him, Sindbad hastily put on his
turban, and, after scowling at Davy for a moment, said to the Goblin,
"It's no use telling _him_ anything; he's as deaf as a trunk."

"Then tell it to me," said the Goblin, with great presence of mind.

"All right," said Sindbad, "I'll give you a nautical one."

Here he rose for a moment, hitched up his big trous