“The master, sir,” she began at once when I entered the room.  “Whatever is to be done?  He can’t be found anywhere—­and the guests beginning to arrive—­”

“Never mind,” said I, after thinking a moment.  “I’ve no doubt he’ll be here presently—­and, in the meantime, as I know most if not all of the guests, I’ll receive them, and explain that he has probably been called away and will no doubt be back presently.”

I hurried up into the drawing-room, and found that by this time several guests had arrived, and were looking greatly surprised at finding no host to receive them.

I apologised for my friend as well as I was able, and pointed out that probably he would soon return, and, in the meantime, he would doubtless wish us to make ourselves at home.

We found everything arranged for our comfort.  Professional singers gave an excellent concert in the drawing-room—­an excellent supper was served downstairs.

The children were not forgotten, and, while the concert had been proceeding in the drawing-room, an amusing entertainment was provided for them in another room.  Beside each plate at supper, also, there was a little present, chosen carefully, and our names written distinctly on each.

Everything was thoroughly well thought out and provided for—­but—­there was no host to receive our thanks and to bid us “good-bye” when we went.

The whole affair, therefore, though I naturally did my best for my friend’s sake to “keep things going,” concluded rather flatly, and I went home after it was all over feeling not a little depressed and anxious.

I called the next day, and the day after, but Shin Shira had not returned, nor had anything been heard of, or from him.

It was most mysterious, and I could only account for it by the fact that the fairies may have, in fact must have, caused him to disappear once more.

The housekeeper told me, on my inquiring of her, that he had been at home the whole of the day on which the party had been held, superintending all the arrangements, and had gone up early to his room to dress, and from that time all trace of him had been lost.

I was very sorry, and the more so as days and weeks flew by and nothing happened to give us any clue as to his whereabouts.

After a couple of months, I told the servants that they had better seek other situations, and when they had done so I let them go.  I closed the house, and waited for events.

It must have been quite a year later when I received the following letter—­

“Isle of San Sosta,
“_ South Pacific._

“MY DEAR FRIEND,