r key.
Bring it to me."

Daimur did so, and the old man pinched it. It split in two and there
could be seen a smaller key resting in a groove in the middle.

"Now," said the old man, "put this in the lock which you will find in
the under side of the window sill and turn it. Bring me what you see."

Daimur did as he was told, and after fitting the little key into the
lock and turning it, he found that a piece of the window sill rose up
and disclosed a small black morocco case like a pocketbook lying in the
cavity. This he carried to the old man, who grasped it eagerly in his
feeble hands.

"This," he said, "contains my greatest treasures. In this case is a
small black velvet cap. It is a poor, worn-looking one, but whoever
wears it knows all things, and will be able to act wisely. Inside the
cap you will find a pair of silver-rimmed spectacles. With these on
you will see everything as it really is, no matter how it may look to
other people. You must, however, be careful, as the Evil Magician has
always coveted these treasures and if he finds out that you have them
he will do his best to get them from you. Let no one know that you
possess them, and always keep them concealed about you. As the
Magician will no doubt came back to search the cottage I advise you to
burn it up as soon as I am gone. See, you had better take the magic
key too, as it will open any lock, however large or small. Beware of
evil times, my poor Prince, as my good influence will no longer be felt
in this kingdom."

With these words the old man began to shrink thinner and thinner,
narrower and narrower, until Daimur could see through him, and finally
he was just a streak of pale sunlight upon the floor, which wavered and
faded, and at last went out completely.

Daimur was so surprised that he sat quite still for a time. Then
rising to his feet and putting the key into the black case with the
spectacles, he hid it in his bosom, and went out to call his servants.
He told them that the old man was dead and would not need the food, and
sent them on with it to the home of a poor farmer who had a sick wife,
telling them to ride around by the high road and meet him, as he was
going to ride that way.

As soon as they were out of sight he built a little pile of chips and
dry leaves under the edge of the house, and set fire to it. What was
his astonishment to see the flames leap up at once over the whole
cottage, which burnt like paper. I