82 PRINCE FILDERKIN

dark, as places are apt to be when they are
only lighted by somewhat small windows,
and especially when, as in the present case,
the latter are shaded by curtains drawn across
them. But although the light was dim, it
was sufficient to let the Prince see that there
was nothing very remarkable in the furniture
or other contents of-the room, though the
place certainly looked as if it and everything
in it would be much the better for a thorough
cleaning out, as there was a look of musty
antiquity about it, which was accompanied by
a faint, sickly odour which did not favourably
impress a stranger.

The visitor, however, noted no trifles of
this sort, for his whole mind was bent upon
his coming interview with the magician, and
his eyes eagerly roved round the room
until they lighted upon the object of their
search. Feeble John was seated upon a low
stool in one corner of the room. His dress
was somewhat remarkable, for he was
wrapped in a large, loose robe, the colour
of which was bright sky-blue with large
stripes of black, orange, and crimson.
Upon his head was a close-fitting black
skull-cap, from underneath which some long