Dwarf, Shin Shira, energetically fanning himself with the little yellow
fan which I had noticed at our previous meeting.

"Oh! it's you, is it?" he remarked, when he caught sight of my face. "I
thought I recognised the back view; you see it was the last I saw of you
when I paid you that visit in your study."

"And disappeared so very suddenly," I answered, going up and offering my
hand, for I was very pleased to see the little man again.

[Illustration]

"I was _obliged_ to. You know of my unfortunate affliction in having to
appear or disappear whenever my fairy great-great-great-grandmother
wishes. _He's_ safe enough, isn't he?" he added, inconsequently nodding
his head towards "the Bellows."

"Who is? What do you mean?" I inquired.

"The dragon, of course," said Shin Shira.

"The dragon!" I exclaimed.

"Certainly--you know that there's a dragon imprisoned behind those
rocks, don't you?"

I laughed.

"No," I said, "although I must admit that I was at first inclined to
think that something of the sort was concealed there. I've had it all