rld of field and hedge row disappeared,
and we found ourselves in a garden, well-kept, secluded, most
undragon-haunted in appearance. Once inside, I knew where we were.
This was the garden of my friend the circus-man, though I had never
approached it before by a lawless gap, from this unfamiliar side. And
here was the circus-man himself, placidly smoking a pipe as he strolled
up and down the walks. I stepped up to him and asked him politely if he
had lately seen a Beast.

"May I inquire," he said, with all civility, "what particular sort of a
Beast you may happen to be looking for?"

"It's a lizardy sort of Beast," I explained. "Charlotte says it 's a
dragon, but she doesn't really know much about beasts."

The circus-man looked round about him slowly. "I don't think," he said,
"that I've seen a dragon in these parts recently. But if I come across
one I'll know it belongs to you, and I'll have him taken round to you at
once."

"Thank you very much," said Charlotte, "but don't trouble about it,
please, 'cos p'raps it isn't a dragon after all. Only I thought I saw
his little footprints in the snow, and we followed 'em up, and they
seemed to lead right in here, but maybe it's all a mistake, and thank
you all the same."

"Oh, no trouble at all," said the circus-man, cheerfully. "I should be
only too pleased. But of course, as you say, it may be a mistake.
And it's getting dark, and he seems to have got away for the present,
whatever he is. You'd better come in and have some tea. I'm quite alone,
and we'll make a roaring fire, and I've got the biggest Book of
Beasts you ever saw. It's got every beast in the world, and all of 'em
coloured; and we'll try and find your beast in it!"

We were always ready for tea at any time, and especially when combined
with beasts. There was marmalade, too, and apricot-jam, brought in
expressly for us; and afterwards the beast-book was spread out, and, as
the man had truly said, it contained every sort of beast that had ever
been in the world.

The striking of six o'clock set the more prudent Charlotte nudging me,
and we recalled ourselves with an effort from Beastland, and reluctantly
stood up to go.

"Here, I 'm coming along with you," said the circus-man. "I want another
pipe, and a walk'll do me good. You needn't talk to me unless you like."

Our spirits rose to their wonted level again. The way had seemed so
long, the outside world so dark and eerie, after the bright warm room