"Oh, well then, that's all knocked on the head," I said to Shin Shira, who had been listening attentively. "I'll dismiss the man now, shall I, and we'll talk over what's best to be done?"
Shin Shira nodded, so I told the Slave I had no further use for him at the moment, and he vanished.
I stood looking at my little friend in great bewilderment.
"It is a great power to possess," I said, regarding the lamp with awe and amazement. "I hope I shan't do anything foolish with it."
"Don't be silly," said Shin Shira crossly. "I only wish I had your chance. Why, you can do anything with a power like that. Leave it to me to think over for to-night, and I'll tell you the best thing to do in the morning."
"But I'm starting for England the first thing to-morrow," I objected.
"Oh! you must put that off for the present," was the decided reply. "I'll be here about eleven, and we'll talk over what's best to be done. Good-night!" and the little fellow held out his hand and strutted off.
I slept very little that night, as you may imagine, and all sorts of vague ideas came into my head as to what I should do with the wonderful power which had so mysteriously come within my grasp.
I had arrived at no definite decision as to what was best to be done, however, by eleven the next morning, when, punctual to the minute, Shin Shira, looking very spruce and alert, knocked at my door.
I noticed with considerable interest that he wore in his turban the diamond which I had so often admired, and he saw me looking at it at once.