noticed the old
man had eyes as black and mysterious as a pool on a dark night. Those
eyes regarded Wilbur, noting his size, weight and general construction.

"Bah," the old man snorted. "You won't do. Not timid enough."

"Yes, sir," Wilbur chattered. He started backward down the stairs and
almost fell.

"Wait a minute," the creaky voice ordered.

Wilbur halted in mid-step. The black eyes regarded him. A hand tipped by
long, curving fingernails stroked the wisp of a beard.

"On the other hand," the old man said, "you might be more timid than you
look. Come on in."

* * * * *

Wilbur trailed after him down a long dark hallway that was musty with
age. At the end of the hall was an equally musty room, sparsely
furnished with sagging and broken odds and ends. It was not the
furniture which engaged Wilbur's attention, but the other features of
the place.

On an ancient stand a sun-dial reposed, and next to it a large and
milk-white glass ball. Near the stand a tripod stood over a sheet of
metal on which a small fire blazed, and from the tripod a kettle was
suspended. Something bubbled in the kettle, something that gave off a
strange and noxious odor.

Around the room jugs were scattered, and as Wilbur caught sight of the
labels a chill ran up his back. There were such unusual items as
_Essence of Dried Toad_, _Basilisk Oil_, _Chimera's Breath-Distilled_.

"Sit down," A. J. Merlin said suddenly. Wilbur sat down with such
abruptness that he almost went through an ancient sofa to the floor.
Merlin's eyes lit up.

"You really are timid," he said.

"Yes, sir," Wilbur agreed hastily. "Do you think you can help me?"

"Depends. It isn't my regular line. I came here looking for a special
kind of person. If you're that person you can help me. In return I'll do
the same for you. All depends on how cowardly you are."

"I've never been brave about anything in my life," Wilbur said
truthfully.

He went on in detail. In a short history of his life he made it clear
that he was a complete and abject coward. He was afraid of anything that
walked or swam or flew, no matter how small. He was afraid of dark
rooms. A dirty look made him tremble.

"Perfect," Merlin breathed. He rubbed his taloned hands together. "Not a
shred of courage in you."

"Is that good?" Wilbur gasped.

Merlin smiled, and with his smile his eyebrows slanted more than ever.
His ears were suddenly elongated.

"Ordinari