power of pouring gold from his mouth? Have I not given you fame and wealth and taught you magic only upon condition that you would destroy your husband?"
The unhappy queen covered her face with her hands. I cannot do it!" she whispered. "Transform the Khan into a dog and take from him all his magic powers! I cannot, cannot do it!"
"And why not, pray?" asked the strange man with a mocking laugh. "You do not love the Khan! I have, by my magic, made that impossible."
Saran, watching and listening from a near corner, let slip an exclamation of wonder. "So that is it!" he thought. "She is kept from loving her husband by wicked magic!"
Both the queen and the stranger started at the sound, but on looking around, could see nothing, for Saran, of course, still wore his "invisible" cap.
"Enough of this!" cried the man at length, after he had waited in vain for the
