84 PRINCE FILDERKIN

tance, waited until he should be addressed.
As, however, the wise man took no more
notice of him than if he had not been there,
he presently drew a step nearer, and, speak-
ing in a humble tone of voice, as that of one
who addressed a superior, he said:

‘Pray, sir, can you show me anything
wonderful? I am a poor lad who knows
but little of the strange ways of the world,
and would fain increase my knowledge.’

To the utter surprise of the speaker,
Feeble John made an instant reply, though
in a voice evidently tremulous with old
age:

‘Prince Filderkin, child of royal parents,
don’t try to humbug me, for you can’t do it !’

At this unexpected speech, it may well
be believed that the young Prince fell into
great confusion, for he did not understand
how the magician could so easily have
found him out, his hump not being an easy
thing to see when he was facing the person
whom he addressed, and that, moreover, in
a darkened room.

‘It is true,’ he presently rejoined, ‘that I
am Prince Filderkin, but still a poor lad!
Who indeed could be poorer, with such an