"Why, there it is!"

He stretched out a hand and there before our eyes the handkerchief hung
limp over the pruned top of a standard rose.

"Jolly good!" exclaimed Jaffery.

"I hope you don't mind. I like amusing kiddies. Have you ever talked to
angels, Araminta? No? Well, I have. Look."

He threw half-crowns up into the air until they disappeared into the
central blue, and then held a ventriloquial conversation, not in the
best of taste, with the celestial spirits, who having caught the coins
announced their intention of sticking to them. But threats of reporting
to headquarters prevailed, and one by one the coins dropped and jingled
in his hand. We applauded. Susan regarded him as she would a god.

"Can you do it again?" she asked breathlessly.

"Lord bless you, Eustacia, I can keep on doing it all day long."

He balanced his cigar on the tip of his nose and with a snap caught it
in his mouth. He turned to me with a grin, which showed white strong
teeth. "More than you could do, old pal!"

"You must have practised that a great deal," said Doria.

"Two hours a day solid year in and year out--not that trick alone, of
course. Here!" he burst into a laugh. "I'm blowed if you know who I
am--I'm the One and Only Ras Fendihook--Illusionist, Ventriloquist, and
General Variety Artist. Haven't you ever seen my turn?"

We confessed, with regret, that we had missed the privilege.

"Well, well, it's a queer world," he said philosophically. "You've never
heard of me--and perhaps you two gentlemen are big bugs in your own
line--and I've never heard of you. But anyhow, I never asked you, Mr.
Chayne, to catch my gloves."

"I haven't your gloves," said Jaffery, with his eye on Susan.

"You have. You've got 'em in your pocket."

And diving into Jaffery's jacket pocket, he produced the wash-leather
gloves.

"There, Petronella," said he, "that's the end of the matinee
performance."

Susan looked at him wide-eyed. "I'm not at all tired."

"Aren't you? Then don't let that big black dog there chase the little
one."

He pointed with his finger and from behind the old yew arbour came the
shrill clamour of a little dog in agony. It brought Barbara flying out
of the house. Liosha followed leisurely. The yelping ceased. Mr. Ras
Fendihook went to meet his hostess. Doria, Jaffery and I looked at one
another in mutual and dismayed comprehension.

"Old pal," quoted Doria.

I glanced apprehensively across the strip of lawn.