TWILIGHT LAND

came the box with the damp earth sticking to it. He
cleaned the mould away, and there he saw, written in red
etters, these words:

“Open not.”

You may be sure that after he had read these words he
was not long in breaking open the lid of the box with his
spade.

Inside the first box he found a second, and upon it the

same words:
“Open not.”

Within the second box was another, and within that
still another, until there were seven in all, and on each
was written the same words:

“Open not.”

Inside the seventh box was a roll of linen, and inside
that a bottle filled with nothing but blue smoke; and I
wish that bottle had burned the Tailor’s fingers when he
touched it.

‘And is this all?” said the little Tailor, turning the
bottle upside down and shaking it, and peeping at it by
the light of the lamp. ‘Well, since I have gone so far I
might as well open it, as I have already opened the seven
boxes.” Thereupon he broke the seal that stoppered it.

Pop! Out flew thecork, and— Puff! Out came the
smoke ; not all at once, but in a long thread that rose up
as high as the stars, and then spread until it hid their
light.

The Tailor stared and goggled and gaped to see so much
smoke come out of such a little bottle, and, as he goggled

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