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

room.”
    By now Harry was in a position to see into the suitcase. He pointed to something that looked only too familiar. “What’s that?” he asked. The long golden sword was one of the largest things in the case.
    Mr. Mazzeeck took it out and ran his hand lovingly over the gleaming blade. Harry couldn’t help taking a step or two backwards. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Mr. Mazzeeck said. “Notice the careful setting of the gems in the hilt, and the intricate design. However, I’m afraid that this is not quite the gift for you either. Actually there is very little use for these in this day and age. I carry this one with me mostly for old time’s sake. One so seldom hears of dragons to be slain or multi-headed beasts to be vanquished, any more. It’s a great pity, but the demand for magic swords has almost disappeared.”
    Mr. Mazzeeck put the sword back in the case and took out something that looked like a black cape of a silky material. “I don’t suppose you’ve ever had any particular desire to be invisible?” he asked.
    “Well, no, but ...
    “No, I didn’t suppose you would have. Truthfully, I can’t see how it would be of any great use to you. And with a mother who cooks as well as yours does, I can’t see that you are greatly in need of a magic porridge pot, or tablecloth either. Dear me, this is proving to be more of a problem than I had anticipated.”
    Next, Mr. Mazzeeck took what appeared to be a rolled-up throw-rug out of the case with one hand and a strange-looking pair of high-topped boots with the other. “How about travel?” he asked. “I could let you have either a magic carpet or seven league boots.”
    “Travel?” Harry said. He still didn’t believe that Mr. Mazzeeck was serious, but you couldn’t help sort of getting into the spirit of the thing. “Well, I’m not too crazy about traveling, but I would like to be somewhere else for a while. Can you take anyone with you?”
    “No, I’m afraid not. And I see now, that there would be difficulties. You couldn’t very well go off and leave your mother. It’s quite obvious she depends on you.”
    “What’s that?” Harry asked, pointing to something long and thin and silvery.
    Mr. Mazzeeck gave a little shudder. “That,” he said, “is a flute. Frankly, it’s not one of my favorite items. Not that it doesn’t do the job it’s supposed to do,” he added hastily. “It’s just that ... well it was this particular item that figured in my disgrace and demotion.” He picked up the long shiny flute and turned it over and over so that it sparkled in the light. “A pretty thing, isn’t it,” he said. “One would never guess by looking at it that it could be the cause of so much grief.”
    “What happened?” Harry asked. “That is, if you don’t mind talking about it.”
    “No,” Mr. Mazzeeck said. “I don’t mind. As a matter of fact, it’s a relief to discuss it now and then. Get it off my chest, you might say. It’s not often that I meet someone to whom I can talk about matters of this sort. But since you have been cleared by the company ... Suddenly Mr. Mazzeeck looked at his watch and then hastily glanced at the bed and motioned for Harry to sit down. “My taxi won’t be here for several minutes,” he said. “Would you care to hear the whole story? I’m not keeping you from anything?”
    Harry shook his head quickly and sat down. He was every bit as eager to hear Mr. Mazzeeck’s story as Mr. Mazzeeck seemed to be to tell it.
    Mr. Mazzeeck continued to stand by the case, fingering the lid with one hand and sometimes opening it. “As I mentioned earlier,” he began, “I was once a sorcerer. And in all modesty I must say that I was an unusually successful one. I had a very choice assignment in which I was able to practice a bit of magic myself besides supplying a most distinguished clientele—the most renowned heroes of the day—all legendary now. But in my confidence, I overstepped myself and became