Read Online Black and Blue Magic by Zilpha Keatley Snyder - Free Book Online Page A

privileges; among which is, of course, immortality.” He looked at Harry significantly, as if Harry should know what he was talking about.
    “The A.O.A. ... what?” Harry said.
    “The A.O.A.T.S. The Ancient Order of Authentic and Traditional Sorcerers. I was once a full member.” Mr. Mazzeeck drew himself up to his full height, raised his chin and for just a moment Harry thought he saw again that strange transparency that seemed to let another face look through. A face lit, this time, by a deep, glowing pride. Then Mr. Mazzeeck was himself again, only a little sadder and more worried looking. “I am now only a Peddler and Purveyor of the Finest and Most Traditional of Magical Goods.”
    “Oh,” Harry said, “you mean you sell magic stuff to magicians and things like that?”
    “No indeed. Not if you mean boxes with false backs and other gimcracks of that nature to ordinary commercial magicians. I do have some dealings with magicians, however, but only the most gifted and most dedicated, and then only after careful investigation. Your father was under consideration at the time of his death, my superiors tell me. They felt he had great talent and showed real promise. It was that fact, plus my immense gratitude, that made it possible for me to receive permission from the company to present you with a small sample of its products.”
    All the fancy language had left Harry a little bit behind, but he thought it meant that Mr. Mazzeeck intended to give him something—something out of the mysterious suitcase, perhaps. “Well, gee—thanks!” he said, just in case he was right.
    “Don’t mention it,” Mr. Mazzeeck said. “I feel it’s the least I can do. With your background, not to mention what I have observed of your skillfulness and reliability, I’m sure I will have no cause to regret my decision.”
    “Skillfulness? Me?” Harry asked incredulously, but Mr. Mazzeeck had gone over to the suitcase and opened the lid.
    “Our only problem now,” Mr. Mazzeeck said, rummaging around among the contents, “is to decide what would be more appropriate. There are many possibilities and we must make the decision with the utmost care. That is one of the major tenets of the Comus Company. All our clients must not only be deserving, but their purchases must also be carefully chosen.”
    He picked out something and held it up for Harry to see. It was a ring that seemed to be made of the bodies of two little golden snakes twisted tightly around each other. He looked at it thoughtfully for a moment and then shook his head and replaced it in the case. “No,” he said, “I don’t think so.” He smiled apologetically at Harry. “You can’t imagine the predicaments one can get oneself into by the careless use of three wishes, if one is inexperienced in such matters. Have you ever had three wishes?”
    “Well, no,” Harry said. “I don’t think I’ve had even one.”
    “Ah, you see. Then we can rule out wishing rings and stones at the same time, I’m afraid, we must eliminate the various containers of genii. They are a bit more versatile than the rings, but in the hands of a beginner, the results are often much the same.”
    Harry had been edging forward until now he was standing beside the table. “You mean you have real magic genii in there?”
    “Yes indeed. We have them, not only in bottles,” Mr. Mazzeeck held up a small bottle of dark glass that seemed to be full of a whirling white smoke, “but also in the more traditional bronze lamp.” At that point he began to paw around in the suitcase with a frantic look on his face. “The lamp,” he muttered as if he were talking to himself. “Where is the lamp. It’s not possible I could have lost it.”
    “Is that what you’re looking for?” Harry said, pointing to the oval-shaped thing that was still burning on the bed table.
    “Ah! Of course,” Mr. Mazzeeck said looking terribly relieved. “I had forgotten that I used it to light my way to your