Then Thyrston showed Colombo that he had nothing up either sleeve
and after an interval he consented to teach Colombo the secret of
his conjuring.

"Why now to be sure", said Colombo, after he had thoroughly
mastered the trick, "that is indeed quite simple and I am sorry I
broke those four eggs by mistake in your silk hat, and while I do
not wish to appear oversensitive, do you not think, my dear
Thyrston", said Colombo, "that the trick would go just as well
without those abominable jokes about married life?"

"My dear sir", said Thyrston, "those jokes have been used by
every conjurer since Merlin, and while perhaps without them your
trick would work, yet I have never heard of it being done and I
have found", said Thyrston, "that in sorcery the best results are
obtained by doing the customary thing."

"Which only goes to show", said Colombo, "that sorcery is
somewhat akin to business, and now that I think of it", said
Colombo, "I believe that the term wizard of industry is perhaps
not entirely a misnomer."

Thus it was that Colombo took leave of Thyrston, and the tale
tells how on Walburga's Eve he came to the court of King
Ferdinand and Queen Isabel. And as he entered one met him who
was not unpleasing to the eye, and she was weeping. And, as it
was somewhat dark, Colombo decided to comfort her.

"Now, do you tell me, my dear", said Colombo, after an interval,