"It's very dirty—wants cleaning badly," declared Shin Shira. "Why, I believe it's solid brass, though it looks like rusty iron in its present neglected state," and he seized a duster which was lying handy and gave the lamp several smart rubs.
"Just as I thought," said he, going on vigorously with the polishing. "Why, it's splendid——"
"Oh!" I exclaimed, sinking into a chair. "See! see what you've done!"
An enormous form was rising from the floor, and presently stood before us making a deep salaam.
"W-who are you?" I stammered.
"The Slave of the Lamp, Master," said he.
"Good gracious!" I exclaimed, "you don't mean to say that this is——"
"Aladdin's lamp," burst in Shin Shira. "I thought somehow that it looked familiar. I knew Aladdin well, and I've often handled this lamp before."
"Impossible!" I exclaimed, gazing at the big black giant who stood, with his arms folded, in dignified silence before us.
"Nothing is impossible in the East," said Shin Shira, "as you'll quickly find out if you remain here long. And now—now that you are the possessor of Aladdin's lamp—what are you going to do with it?"