andlord; "he quits this
town to-morrow, if the letters arrive which he expects by the post;
therefore, pray get rid of this crowd, and let him be quiet, for he is
very tired, having travelled one hundred and fifty miles since the dawn
of day."

When Tim and I had performed this duty, we joined Melchior in his room,
leaving the news to be circulated. "This promises well," observed
Melchior; "up to the present we have expended much time and money; now
we must see if we cannot recover it tenfold. Japhet, you must take an
opportunity of going out again after supper, and make inquiries of the
landlord what poor people they have in the town, as I am very generous,
and like to relieve them; you may observe, that all the money offered to
me for practising my art, I give away to the poor, having no occasion
for it." This I did, and we then sat down to supper, and having unpacked
our baggage, went to bed, after locking the door of the room, and taking
out the key.

The next morning we had every thing in readiness, and as the letters, as
the reader may suppose, did not arrive by the post, we were obliged to
remain, and the landlord ventured to hint to me, that several people
were anxious to consult my master. I replied, that I would speak to him,
but it was necessary to caution those who came, that they must either
offer gold--or nothing at all. I brought his consent to see one or two,
but no more. Now, although we had various apparatus to use when
required, it was thought that the effect would be greater, if, in the
first instance, every thing was simple. Melchior, therefore, remained
sitting at the table, which was covered with a black cloth, worked with
curious devices, and a book of hieroglyphics before him, and an ivory
wand, tipped with gold, lying by the book. Timothy standing at the door,
with a short Roman sword buckled round his belt, and I, in a respectful
attitude, behind the Great Aristodemus.

The first person who was admitted was the lady of the mayor of the town;
nothing could be more fortunate, as we had every information relative to
her and her spouse, for people in high places are always talked of.
Aristodemus waved his hand, and I brought forward a chair in silence,
and motioned that she should be seated. Aristodemus looked her in her
face, and then turned over several leaves, until he fixed upon a page,
which he considered attentively. "Mayoress of ----, what wouldst thou
with me?"

She started, and turne