Come, now. I can put in
your hands a power before which the whole world bows: will you take it
or not? I shan't offer it twice.'

Now, Raymond had a secret suspicion that something was wrong in all
this; for why should a stranger be so anxious to confer an inestimable
boon upon him? And yet London was but seven miles off. He could get
back that very night if need be. It would be a pity to lose this
chance after having waited for it so long. It could do no harm; it was
worth trying. 'I think I will,' passed through Raymond's mind.

'I knew you would!' exclaimed the dwarf at once, as if Raymond had
spoken aloud. 'But we must lose no time, for you must be in London by
five; that is the hour when the Seven Brethren assemble. So--off with
your doublet!'

'Why must I take my doublet off?'

'To exchange with me. Mine is the same as yours--the only difference
is in the lining. Try it.'

'But it's too small,' objected Raymond.

'It will fit whomsoever is lucky enough to get it,' said the dwarf,
wagging his big head confidently. 'Let me help you--first this
arm--then this--and there you are.' And there Raymond was, sure
enough, as neatly fitted as if he had been to the Court tailor.

'And now, my dear Raymond,' continued the dwarf affably, 'I must
trouble you to carry me across the ford. One--two--and there we are!'
And before the astonished young man had time to remonstrate his new
friend had sprang upon his shoulders, wound his long arms about his
neck, and was urging him into the water.

Well, it would not be so much of a job to carry over so small a
creature, Raymond thought. Besides, since putting on the dwarf's
doublet he had felt less his own master than before. If his soul were
still his own his doublet was not; and a very small compromise of
freedom sometimes goes a long way. So Raymond (like his contemporary
Sindbad the Sailor) set forth meekly with his burden on his back.

The River Thames was, in those days, very clear and transparent, with
a sandy bottom, and with frequent shallows or fords. The Honeymead
ford was reckoned an especially good one; and Raymond, expecting an
easy passage, stepped into the eddying current with confidence.

But before he had gone far he thought there must be a mistake
somewhere: either he was not so strong as he had supposed or else the
dwarf was uncommonly heavy. Twice or thrice he staggered and almost
lost his footing. By the time he had got to the middle of the stream
ever