LITMIR.BIZ

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too that the virtues of the talisman refused to exert themselves any more at his bidding.

      But it did not follow that in another's hands the spell would remain as powerless. At all events, it was an experiment well worth the trial, and he lost no time in explaining the notion to Dick, who, by the sparkle in his eyes and suppressed excitement in his manner, seemed to think there might be something in it.

      "I may as well try," he said, "give it to me."

      "Take it, my dear boy," said Paul, with a paternal air that sorely tried Dick's recovered gravity, it contrasted so absurdly with his altered appearance. "Take it, and wish your poor old father himself again!"

      Dick took it, and held it thoughtfully for some moments, while Paul waited in nervous impatience. "Isn't it any use?" he said dolefully at last, as nothing happened.

      "I don't know," said Dick calmly, "I haven't wished yet."

      "Then do so at once," said Paul fussily, "do so at once. There's no time to waste, every moment is of importance – your cab will be here directly. Although, although I'm altered in this ridiculous way, I hope I still retain my authority as a father, and as a father, by Gad, I expect you to obey me, sir!"

      "Oh, all right," said Dick indifferently, "you may keep the authority if you like."

      "Then do what I tell you. Can't you see how urgent it is that a scandal like this shouldn't get about? I should be the laughing-stock of the city. Not a soul must ever guess that such a thing has happened. You must see that yourself."

      "Yes," said Dick, who all this time was sitting on a corner of the table, swinging his legs, "I see that. It will be all right. I'm going to wish in a minute, and no one will guess there has been anything the matter."

      "That's a good boy!" said Paul, much relieved, "I know your heart is in the right place – only do make haste."

      "I suppose," Dick asked, "when you are yourself again, things would go on just as usual?"

      "I – I hope so."

      "I mean you will go on sitting here, and I shall go off to Grimstone's?"

      "Of course, of course," said Paul; "don't ask so many questions. I'm sure you quite understand what has to be done, so get on. We might be found like this any minute."

      "That settles it," said Dick, "any fellow would do it after that."

      "Yes, yes, but you're so slow about it!"

      "Don't be in a hurry," said Dick, "you mayn't like it after all when I've done it."

      "Done what?" asked Mr. Bultitude sharply, struck by something sinister and peculiar in the boy's manner.

      "Well, I don't mind telling you," said Dick, "it's fairer. You see, you wished to be a boy just like me, didn't you?"

      "I didn't mean it," protested Paul.

      "Ah, you couldn't expect a stone to know that; at any rate, it made you into a boy like me directly. Now, if I wish myself a man just like you were ten minutes ago, before you took the stone, that will put things all right again, won't it?"

      "Is the boy mad?" cried Paul, horrified at this proposal. "Why, why, that would be worse than ever!"

      "I don't see that," objected Dick, stubbornly. "No one would know anything about it then."

      "But, you little blockhead, can't I make you understand? It wouldn't do at all. We should both of us be wrong then – each with the other's personal appearance."

      "Well," said Dick blandly, "I shouldn't mind that."

      "But I should – I mind very much. I object strongly to such a – such a preposterous arrangement. And what's more, I won't have it. Do you hear, I forbid you to think of any such thing. Give me back that stone. I can't trust you with it after this."

      "I can't help it," said Dick doggedly. "You've had your wish, and I don't see why I shouldn't have mine. I mean to have it, too."

      "Why, you unnatural little rascal!" cried the justly-enraged father, "do you mean to defy me? I tell you I will have that stone! Give it up this instant!" and he made a movement towards his son, as if he meant to recover the talisman by main force.

      But Dick was too quick for him. Slipping off the table with great agility, he planted himself firmly on the hearth-rug, with the hand that held the stone clenched behind his back, and the other raised in self-defence.

      "I'd much rather you wouldn't make me hit you, you know," he said, "because, in spite of what's happened, you're still my father, I suppose. But if you interfere with me before I've done with this stone, I'm afraid I shall have to punch your head."

      Mr. Bultitude retreated a few steps apprehensively, feeling himself no match for his son, except in size and general appearance; and for some moments of really frightful intensity they stood panting on the hearth-rug, each cautiously watching the other, on his guard against stratagem and surprise.

      It was one of those painful domestic scenes which are fortunately rare between father and son.

      Overhead, the latest rollicking French polka was being rattled out, with a savage irony of which pianos, even by the best makers, can at times be capable.

      Suddenly Dick drew himself up. "Stand out of my way!" he cried excitedly, "I am going to do it. I wish I was a man like you were just now!"

      And as he spoke, Mr. Bultitude had the bitterness of seeing his unscrupulous son swell out like the frog in the fable, till he stood there before him the exact duplicate of what Paul had so lately been!

      The transformed Dick began to skip and dance round the room in high glee, with as much agility as his increased bulk would allow. "It's all right, you see," he said. "The old stone's as good as ever. You can't say anyone would ever know, to look at us."

      And then he threw himself panting into a chair, and began to laugh excitedly at the success of his unprincipled manœuvres.

      As for Paul, he was perfectly furious at having been so outwitted and overreached. It was a long time before he could command his voice sufficiently to say, savagely: "Well, you've had your way, and a pretty mess you've made of it. We're both of us in false positions now. I hope you're satisfied, I'm sure. Do you think you'll care about going back to Crichton House in that state?"

      "No," said Dick, very decidedly: "I'm quite sure I shouldn't."

      "Well, I can't help it. You've brought it on yourself; and, provided the Doctor sees no objection to take you back as you are and receive you as one of his pupils, I shall most certainly send you there."

      Paul did not really mean this, he only meant to frighten him; for he still trusted that, by letting Boaler into the secret, the charm might be set in motion once more, and the difficulty comfortably overcome. But his threat had a most unfortunate effect upon Dick; it hardened him to take a course he might otherwise have shrunk from.

      "Oh," he said, "you're going to do that? But doesn't it strike you that things are rather altered with us now?"

      "They are, to a certain extent, of course," said Paul, "through my folly and your wicked cunning; but a word or two of explanation from me – "

      "You'll find it will take more explanation than you think," said Dick; "but, of course, you can try, if you think it worth while – when you get to Grimstone's."

      "When I, – I don't understand. When I, – what did you say?" gasped Paul.

      "Why, you see," exclaimed Dick, "it would never have done for us both to go back; the chaps would have humbugged us so, and as I hate the place and you seem so fond of being a boy and going back to school and that, I thought perhaps it would be best for you to go and see how you liked it!"

      "I never will! I'll not stir from this room! I dare you to try to move me!" cried Paul. And just then there was the sound of wheels outside once more. They stopped before the house, the bell rang sharply – the long-expected cab had come at last.

      "You've no time to lose," said Dick, "get your coat on."

      Mr. Bultitude tried to treat the affair as a joke. He laughed a ghastly little laugh.

      "Ha!

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