"Tricks?" exclaimed the merchant, elevating his nose disdainfully. Then a sudden gleam came into his small black eyes. "Tricks!" he repeated more pleasantly. "Ah, your Majesty is right. How well you have guessed my secret." Leaning forward, he held his hand up to his mouth and looking furtively over his shoulder, whispered hoarsely. "I am a magician, King, and well versed in the arts of sorcery." "Sorcery!" cried Skamperoo, clasping himself delightedly about his middle. "How perfectly panormick! Magic is the very thing we need around here. Tell me quickly, what can you do? How much magic do you know?" "Is there some place where we can be quite alone?" Matiah held up his hand mysteriously. "No one must know I am a magician--it must be a secret between us." "Of course! Of course!" agreed the King, rolling off his throne with more speed than dignity. "Come to my private walled garden. No one can hear us there." "No one?" asked Matiah sharply. "Are there then no guards upon the wall?" "No guards--no servants--no one at all is allowed in my garden," the King assured him proudly. "And is there a door in the garden's wall?" Matiah stroking his long beard stood regarding the King thoughtfully. "My first trick requires a door." "Of course there's a door, or how should I get out and in myself? Come along, come along!" Waddling into the corridor, Skamperoo started off at a quick trot for his private garden. Matiah, grinning wickedly to himself, stepped softly after the King. Once in the garden, he meant to have his necklaces, even if he had to take off the King's head to get them. "One sweep of my scimiter," murmured the merchant to himself. "Ho, ho! This is too easy!" The King's garden when they reached it was no more than a small sandy square with some cactus plants in the center and a rickety bench against the wall. Seating himself heavily on the bench, Skamperoo made room for the merchant beside him. "Now, then," he grunted hurriedly. "Begin. Show me what you can do. Prove that you are a magician." "First I must have the necklaces," stated Matiah calmly. "Without the emeralds I cannot do a single trick." "But--but--if the magic is in the emeralds, I can be my own magician," answered Skamperoo, clutching the chains with both hands. "But your Majesty is not a magician," Matiah told him reasonably. "You do not know the proper words or incantations. No, I myself must wear these magic jewels. And what harm is there in that? As soon as your wish is granted I will hand them straight back to you." "What's that? Can you really grant wishes?" Skamperoo's eyes began to snap and dance with greed and interest.