“That, friend, is in the laps of the gods. I may not tell you of it. Please, you will excuse now?” He smiled appealingly. “Sure! You earned your money,” Teddy said quickly. “If you’ll do a trick for us, we’ll give you five bucks--altogether. How about it?” “Trick? Perhaps.” He gazed long at Teddy, then nodded, as though the boy had told him something. Later Teddy explained that he wanted Gus to forget what he had been told, and to get his mind on other things Teddy had suggested the trick. The brown man realized his purpose without knowing the reason, and consented to work “magic” for them. They leaned forward eagerly as the mystic took from the folds of his robe a small flower pot. The thoughtful expression left Gus’s face and he grinned happily. “Gee, I allus wanted to see this!” he exclaimed. “You gonna make a plant grow, ain’t you?” Mohammed nodded and smiled. “I shall do an attempt,” he said. “Not always succeed. Watch, please.” Over the pot he waved his hands, intoning, the while, words in a strange language, the only expression of which Teddy was sure was “_Allah Akbar_.” Then, before the astonished gaze of his audience, a stem pushed its way through the earth. Higher and higher it grew, while they watched, and then tiny oranges came into being. Leaves sprouted. The plant flourished, and a faint, sweet perfume came from it. “Golly!” Nick breathed. “She’s growin’!” At a height of about five inches the development stopped. Mohammed dropped his hands, and bowed. “It is finished,” he said simply. “Take and eat this.” He pulled an orange off and handed it to Roy, who broke it open. The fruit inside was fresh and fragrant. “Can we have the tree?” he asked. Mohammed shook his head. “So sorry--that I must keep. See--” He waved his hands again, and the tree shrank. Smaller and smaller it grew, until finally it disappeared altogether. Then he seized the pot and concealed it once more beneath his robe. “Great!” Gus cried enthusiastically. “Good stuff, Mo! Golly, I wish I could learn that! Here’s my two bucks. It sure was worth it.” “Save it, Gus,” Roy said, and handed Mohammed a five dollar bill. The brown man pocketed it casually. “Thank you,” he said. “Where you goin’ from here?” Nick inquired. The shoulders shrugged. “Who knows? I shall travel with Stamboul. Once more, I thank you.” He bowed low, and walked toward the door. “Mind if my brother and I ride a way with you?” Roy asked suddenly. Mohammed gazed at him in surprise. “If you so wish,” he said finally. “We follow no path, Stamboul and I. You are welcome.” Teddy, at a motion from his brother, ran toward the hitching-rail and returned with Star and Flash. They mounted while the brown man seated himself in his wagon. “So long, Mo!” Nick called. “Good luck!” Mohammed smiled his answer and picked up the reins. Stamboul came to life wearily, and moved off. Teddy and Roy followed at a short distance behind.