le pointed beard from which, as from his
hair, came an odour of scents. Seeing me in my merchant's gown, for I
remained mindful of my uncle's advice as regards attire, he spoke to me
as great men do to shop-keepers.

"Well met, Goldsmith," he said in his round, well-trained voice, "I
would make a new-year gift to the lady here, and I am told that you have
plate-wares of the best; gold cups and jewels of rich and rare design,
stamped all of them with the image of the sun which one would wish to
remember on such a day as this. But hearken, let John Grimmer himself
come to serve me for I would treat with no underlings, or take me to him
where he is."

Now I bowed before him, rubbing my hands, and answered, for so the
humour led me: "Then I fear that I must take my lord farther than my
lord would wish to travel just at present, though who knows? Perchance,
like the rest of us, he may take that journey sooner than he thinks."

Now at the sound of my voice I saw the lady Blanche stare at me, trying
to catch sight of my face beneath the hood which I wore on this cold
day, while Deleroy started and said briefly:

"Your meaning?"

"It is plain, my lord. John Grimmer is dead and I know not where
he dwells at present since he took that secret with him. But I, who
unworthily carry on his trade, am at your lordship's service."

Then I turned and bade the shopman command Kari to come hither and bring
with him the choicest of our cups and jewels.

He went and I busied myself in setting stools for these noble customers
to rest on before the fire. As I did so by chance my hand touched that
of the lady Blanche, whereat once more she strove to peer beneath my
hood. It was as though the nature in her knew that touch again, as by
some instinct every woman does, if once the toucher's lips have been
near her own, though it be long ago. But I only turned my head away and
drew that hood the closer.

Now Kari came and with him the shopman, bearing the precious wares. Kari
wore a wool-lined robe, very plain, which yet became him so well that
with his fine-cut face and flashing eyes he looked like an Eastern
prince disguised. At him this fine pair stared, for never had they seen
such a man, but taking no note, with many bows he showed the jewels one
by one. Among these was a gem of great value, a large, heart-shaped ruby
that Kari had set in a surround of twisted golden serpents with heads
raised to strike and little eyes of diamonds. Upo