looked better cleanshaven. Nevertheless, he was a well-set-up
fellow, and her manner evidenced approval.

"Yes," he replied, smiling genially. "I have a small commission
to execute, and I am told that you can help me."

The girl paused for a moment, and then:

"Yes, very likely," she said, speaking good English but with an
odd intonation. "It is not jade? We have very little jade."

"No, no. I wanted an enamelled casket."

"What kind?"

"Cloisonne."

"Cloisonne? Yes, we have several."

She pressed a bell, and, glancing up at the boy who had stood
throughout the interview at the visitor's elbow, addressed him
rapidly in Chinese. He nodded his head and led the way through a
second doorway. Closing this, he opened a third and ushered Mr.
Hampden into a room which nearly caused the latter to gasp with
astonishment.

One who had blundered from Whitechapel into the Khan Khalil, who
had been transported upon a magic carpet from a tube station to
the Taj Mahal, or dropped suddenly upon Lebanon hills to find
himself looking down upon the pearly domes and jewelled gardens