"He evidently doesn't know where they are, and it's as well to keep him ignorant on the subject, in case the lamp passed out of your power, in which case he might use his knowledge in favour of his next master. And, besides, the Roc couldn't carry him there."
"He wouldn't have to," said I. "The Slave evidently has the power of being able to transport himself to any place at will."
"But we don't know where to direct him to," said Shin Shira impatiently. He was evidently bent upon carrying out his project, and at last I somewhat weakly consented to his proposal.
I rubbed the lamp and summoned the Slave, who appeared promptly as before.
"I'm sorry to ask such a difficult thing, but can you catch the Roc for me and bring it here?" said I, somewhat apologetically.
"It shall be here, Master, in twenty minutes," replied the Slave imperturbably, vanishing again at a wave from my hand.
"I don't know, I'm sure, what I want diamonds for, when I have such a willing servant," I grumbled, still rather unwilling to venture upon what I regarded as an uncanny undertaking.
"He can't provide you with money," said Shin Shira.
"Why not?" I asked.
"He'd have either to steal it or make it. If he did the latter it wouldn't be legal, and, besides, if it was found out, you might be arrested for circulating unauthorised coin."