rom you in the sunshine. The noble shadow at your feet
there. Pardon me the bold supposition, but possibly you might not be
indisposed to make this shadow over to me."

He was silent, and a mill-wheel seemed to whirl round in my head. What
was I to make of this singular proposition to sell my own shadow?
He must be mad, thought I, and with an altered tone which was more
assimilated to that of his own humility, I answered thus:

"Ha! ha! good friend, have not you then enough of your own shadow? I
take this for a business of a very singular sort--"

He hastily interrupted me--"I have many things in my pocket which,
sir, might not appear worthless to you, and for this inestimable
shadow I hold the very highest price too small."

It struck cold through me again as I was reminded of the pocket.
I knew not how I could have called him good friend. I resumed the
conversation, and sought, if possible, to set all right again by
excessive politeness.

"But, sir, pardon your most humble servant; I do not understand your
meaning. How indeed could my shadow"--he interrupted me--

"I beg your permission only here on the spot to be allowed to take up
this noble shadow and put it in my pocket; how I shall do that, be my
care. On the other hand, as a testimony of my grateful acknowledgment
to you, I give you the choice of all the treasures which I carry in my
pocket--the genuine Spring-root, the Mandrake-root, the Change-penny,
the Rob-dollar, the Napkin of Roland's Page, a Mandrake-man, at your
own price. But these probably don't interest you--rather Fortunatus'
Wishing-cap newly and stoutly repaired, and a lucky-bag such as he
had!"

"The Luck-purse of Fortunatus!" I exclaimed, interrupting him; and
great as my anxiety was, with that one word he had taken my whole mind
captive. A dizziness seized me, and double ducats seemed to glitter
before my eyes.

"Honored Sir, will you do me the favor to view, and to make trial
of this purse?" He thrust his hand into his pocket, and drew out a
tolerably large, well-sewed purse of stout Corduan leather, with two
strong strings, and handed it to me. I plunged my hand into it, and
drew out ten gold pieces, and again ten, and again ten, and again ten.
I extended him eagerly my hand "Agreed! the business is done; for the
purse you have my shadow!"

He closed with me; kneeled instantly down before me, and I beheld him,
with an admirable dexterity, gently loosen my shadow from top to toe
fro