"May I get you an ice?" I suggested.

She thanked me, and I hurried off. As I passed through the
drawing-room I did not notice that Long Sin had managed to escape
further congratulations of the guests. Just then a waiter passed
through with ices on a tray. I called to him and he stopped.

A moment later Long Sin himself took an ice from the tray and
retreated back of the portieres. No one was about, and he hastily
drew a bottle from his pocket. On the bottle was a Chinese label.
He palmed the bottle, and any one who had chanced to see him would
have noticed that he passed it two or three times over the ice,
then, lifting the portieres, entered the drawing-room again.

He had made the circuit of the rooms in such a way as to bring
himself out directly in my path. With a smile he stopped before
me, rubbing both hands together.

"It is for Miss Elaine?" he asked.

I nodded.

By this time several of the guests who were fascinated with Long
Sin gathered about us. Long Sin fluttered open a Chinese fan which
he had used in his tricks, passed it over my hand, and in some
incomprehensible way I felt the plate with the ice literally
disappear from my grasp. My face must have shown my surprise. A
burst of laughter from the other guests greeted me. I looked at
Long Sin, half angry, yet unable to say anything, for the joke was
plainly on me. He smiled, made another pass with the fan, and