“Oho!” said Cleek, with a strong, rising inflection.  “And he did hear of him, then?”

“Yes, replied Narkom.  “Quite unexpectedly, and while he was preparing to spend a dull evening at home with Van Nant—­for the night was, as you must recollect, my dear fellow, a horribly wet and stormy one—­a message came to him from Miss Morrison asking him to come over to Wandsworth without delay, as a most amazing thing had happened.  A box marked ’From Abdul ben Meerza’ had been delivered there, of all astonishing places.  The message concluded by saying that as it was such a horrible night, the Captain, her father, would not hear of his returning, so begged him to bring his effects, and come prepared to remain until morning.

“He went, of course, carrying with him a small bag containing his pyjamas, his shaving tackle, and such few accessories as would be necessary, since, if he stopped, he must start from there to business in the morning; and on his arrival was handed a small leather case addressed as he had been told.  Imagining all sorts of wonders, from jewels of fabulous value to documents entitling him to endless wealth, he unfastened the case, and found within it a broad belt of blue enamelled leather secured with a circular brass clasp, on which was rudely scratched in English the words, ’The wizards of the East grew rich by being unseen.  Whoso clasps this belt about his waist may become invisible for the wishing.  So does ben Meerza remember.’

“Of course, Carboys treated it as the veriest rubbish—­who wouldn’t?  Indeed, suspected Van Nant of having played a joke upon him, and laughingly threw it aside; and, finding that he had taken an uncomfortable journey for nothing, got some good out of it by spending a pleasant evening with the Captain and his daughter.  A room had been made ready for him—­in fact, although he did not know it, Miss Morrison had given him hers, and had herself gone to a less attractive one—­and in due time he prepared to turn in for the night.  As they parted Miss Morrison rison, in a bantering spirit, picked up the belt and handed it to him, remarking that he had better keep it, as, after marriage, he might some time be glad to creep into the house unseen; and, in the same bantering spirit, he had replied that he had better begin learning how the thing worked in case of necessity, and taking the belt, clasped it round his waist, said good-night, and stepped into the room prepared for him.  Miss Morrison and her father heard him close the door and pull down the blind, and—­that was the last that was seen or heard of him.

“In the morning the bed was found undisturbed, his locked bag on a chair, and in the middle of the floor the blue leather belt; but of the man himself there was not one trace to be found.  There, that’s the story, Cleek.  Now what do you make of it?”