rie, Dick and Fidge.

The servant who stood at the open door, and who knew me by sight, was
looking very anxious, and whispered, "The housekeeper would like to
speak to you at once in the dining-room, sir."

"Anything the matter?" I asked.

"Yes, sir, the master--he--he can't be found," said the man.

I hurried down to the dining-room, and found the housekeeper in her best
black silk dress, looking even more distressed than the manservant had
been.

"The master, sir," she began at once when I entered the room. "Whatever
_is_ to be done? He can't be found anywhere--and the guests beginning to
arrive--"

"Never mind," said I, after thinking a moment. "I've no doubt he'll be
here presently--and, in the meantime, as I know most if not all of the
guests, I'll receive them, and explain that he has probably been called
away and will no doubt be back presently."

I hurried up into the drawing-room, and found that by this time several
guests had arrived, and were looking greatly surprised at finding no
host to receive them.

I apologised for my friend as well as I was able, and pointed out that
probably he would soon return, and, in the meantime, he would doubtless
wish us to make ourselves at home.

We found everything arranged for our comfort. Professional singers gave
an excellent concert in the drawing-room--an excellent supper was served
downstairs.

The children were not forgotten, and, while the concert had been
proceeding in the drawing-room, an amusing entertainment was provided
for them in another room. Beside each plate at supper, also, there was a
little present, chosen carefully, and our names written distinctly on
each.

Everything was thoroughly well thought out and provided for--but--there
was no host to receive our thanks and to bid us "good-bye" when we went.

The whole affair, therefore, though I naturally did my best for my
friend's sake to "keep things going," concluded rather flatly, and I
went home after it was all over feeling not a little depressed and
anxious.

I called the next day, and the day after, but Shin Shira had not
returned, nor had anything been heard of, or from him.

It was most mysterious, and I could only account for it by the fact that
the fairies may have, in fact _must_ have, caused him to disappear once
more.

The housekeeper told me, on my inquiring of her, that he had been at
home the whole of the day on which the party had been held,
superintending all the arra