maller. By this time the Doctor had become far too
small for his arms to encircle the leg of the table. The Banker looked
down to the floor, and saw him standing beside the table leg, leaning
one hand against it as one would lean against the great stone column of
some huge building.

"Good-by, Frank," said the Banker. But the Doctor did not answer; he
seemed lost in thought.

Several minutes more passed in silence. The three men had diminished in
size now until they were not more than three inches high. Suddenly the
Very Young Man let go of the Big Business Man's arm and looked around to
where the Doctor was still leaning pensively against the table leg. The
Banker saw him speak swiftly to the Big Business Man, but in so small a
voice he could not catch the words. Then both little figures turned
towards the table, and the Banker saw the Very Young Man put his hands
to his mouth and shout. And upward to him came the shrillest, tiniest
little voice he had ever heard, yet a voice still embodying the
characteristic intonation of the Very Young Man.

"Hey, Doctor!" came the words. "You'll never get here if you don't come
now."

The Doctor looked up abruptly; he evidently heard the words and realized
his situation. (He was by this time not more than an inch and a half in
height.) He hesitated only a moment, and then, as the other two little
figures waved their arms wildly, he began running towards them. For more
than a minute he ran. The Very Young Man started towards him, but the
Doctor waved him back, redoubling his efforts.

When he arrived at the edge of the handkerchief, evidently he was nearly
winded, for he stopped beside his friends, and stood breathing heavily.
The Banker leaned forwards, and could see the three little figures (they
were not as big as the joint of his little finger) talking earnestly;
the Very Young Man was gesticulating wildly, pointing towards the ring.
One of them made a start, but the others called him back.

Then they began waving their arms, and all at once the Banker realized
they were waving at him. He leaned down, and by their motions knew that
something was wrong--that they wanted him to do something.

Trembling with fright, the Banker left his chair and knelt upon the
floor. The Very Young Man made a funnel of his hands and shouted up:
"It's too far away. We can't make it--we're too small!"

The Banker looked his bewilderment. Then he thought suddenly of the
spoon that he still he