-dial on the stand and
turned it around several times. When he had adjusted it to his
satisfaction he turned back to Wilbur and lifted his cup.

"Here's how," Merlin said.

Wilbur lifted his cup to his lips and drank. Merlin was right. The
liquid seemed no stronger than tea. In fact it tasted much like tea,
except that it had a smoky flavor, not at all unpleasant.

"Thank you," he said politely, and started for the door. But he had no
more than started than he turned back and sat down again.

It was a strange feeling which assailed Wilbur Mook. His legs seemed
weak, yet through the rest of him a strength flowed which was like
liquid fire. Then there came a giddiness. His head was feather light.

Merlin receded, not walking but floating back and back. And as his
figure drifted away from Wilbur it grew strangely taller. The eyebrows
were more slanted than ever and the ears were longer and more pointed.
And as Merlin's figure grew larger it began to dissolve.

Now Wilbur's entire body seemed as light as air to him. It felt as
though he too could float if he tried. He saw, as through a haze and at
a great distance, Merlin bending over the kettle which hung from the
tripod.

From inside his flowing gown Merlin produced a wand and a packet. Out of
the packet drifted a fine white powder into the kettle. There was a wave
of the wand, and out of the kettle poured a thick black smoke which
filled the room until there was nothing but blackness.

Wilbur's ears were filled with a roaring. He felt himself lifted and
whirled. Around and around he whirled, and faster and faster. He was
being sucked into a vortex, pulled down into a black tunnel that was
endless.

* * * * *

Somewhere nearby there was a crowd of people. Wilbur knew that because
he could hear the murmur of many voices. But when he opened his eyes he
found himself in a forest glade. The sun was bright overhead and on a
limb above him a bird sang.

He shook himself and looked around. He was not alone. Only a few feet
away stood Merlin, still wearing his blue robe and his conical hat. He
nodded when he saw that Wilbur was awake.

"How do you feel?" the old man asked.

"Fine, thank you," Wilbur answered without thinking.

It was when he looked down at his body that he sucked in his breath. Not
only was he no longer in that musty room, but he no longer wore his own
clothes! His body was encased in a gown of brown monk's cloth!