apparently been
more indignant than anyone else at the disappearance of the jewellery,
suddenly began behaving in a very strange manner too, diving his hands
first into one pocket and then into another and muttering--"Strange!
remarkable! Most extraordinary!" and finally drawing out from every part
of his clothing watches, chains, rings, bracelets and jewellery of all
kinds, till _every_ missing article, including the Duchess's diamond
pendant, was restored to its proper owner.

There was a pause at first, and then everybody began to talk at
once--laughing and protesting that "of course they all _knew_ it was
part of the trick, and they weren't _really_ anxious at all," and so on,
and I knew that the situation was saved.

Even the Duchess beamed and admitted that it was "really _quite_ the
most marvellous performance she had ever seen," and thanked me over and
over again for having introduced such a remarkable conjurer to her
party. The guests were all equally delighted, and amidst the laughter
and chatter that followed, the Verrinder children and myself made good
our escape, and I felt very thankful that the fairies' "wish" had got me
out of what at one time bid fair to have been a very awkward
predicament.

* * * * *

The Duchess called on me the next day to thank me again, and to ask
where she might write to my little friend to thank him also. This
information, however, I was naturally unable to impart.

MYSTERY NO. V

SHIN SHIRA AND THE LAME DUCK

It was during the summer holidays and my young cousin Lionel was staying
with me again. We had been spending the hot afternoon strolling about
Kensington Gardens, and had just been enjoying a cup of tea and some
cakes under the trees at the little refreshment place near the Albert
Memorial.

"I think we'd better be going home now," I said. "We'll get a motor-'bus
at the gate."

"Oh! must we go yet?" pleaded Lionel. "It's so jolly out here under the
trees. Let's walk home past the Round Pond."

"I've some letters to write before dinner," said I, "but--"

"Oh, bother the old letters!" interrupted Lionel. "It won't take much
longer to walk, and you'll get them done all right. Come on!"

With a sigh of resignation, I not altogether unwillingly let the young
scamp have his way.

It was the best part of the day: the lengthening shadows and the cool
breeze which had sprung up made walking very enjoyable.

We had nearly re