open air with a shouting, gesticulating, excited crowd watching us as we
rose higher and higher, and floated away over the roofs of the houses.

The sensation, I must admit, was a pleasant one, and, despite a slight
feeling of nervousness (which, however, young Sutcliffe did not appear
to share), I quite enjoyed the journey to my flat.

There were, fortunately, but very few people about, and we arrived at
the door without attracting much attention.

One nervous old lady, at whose feet we descended somewhat suddenly, did
threaten to call the police--saying rather angrily that "What with
motor-cars and such-like," she "didn't know what we were a-coming to,
and it wasn't safe for a respectable lady to walk about the streets,
what with one thing and another."

I managed, however, to soothe her ruffled feelings, and, rolling the rug
up carefully, we went up to the flat. I threw myself into a chair in the
study, thoroughly tired out and not a little bewildered by the strange
events of the morning.

Lionel, however, was full of excitement, and eager to be off again for a
ride on the marvellous Magic Carpet.

"I say! you know! but it's the rippingest thing I've ever heard of. Why,
we'll be able to go anywhere. Just think what an awful lot we'll save in
railway fares and cabs and those sort of things. I suppose anybody can
use it?" he inquired, turning to Shin Shira.

"Oh yes, of course," declared the little Yellow Dwarf, "so long as you