Free Black and Blue Magic by Zilpha Keatley Snyder Page B

centuries. The raw material is distilled from one of the oldest dreams of mankind. And it’s only necessary to use one drop on each shoulder, rubbed in well. And of course, one must read the incantation on the label. Oh yes, and don’t forget that the verse at the bottom of the label is necessary in order to return the user to his former state.”
    Harry turned the bottle around and noticed a smooth oval-shaped area where there was no engraving except for a few lines of very tiny print. He was trying to make out the words, when a horn honked right in front of the boarding house.
    “That must be my taxi,” Mr. Mazzeeck said. “I must be off. And I now have yet another reason to thank you. It was kind of you to listen so sympathetically to an old man’s troubles. If I may presume on your kindness just once more to help me to the street with my luggage, I’ll be on my way.”
    Harry had a million questions ready to ask, but Mr. Mazzeeck had already closed and fastened both his suitcases and started for the door with the large one. Harry could only stuff his gift into his pocket, pick up the other bag, and follow. In the rush down the stairs and into the taxi, there wasn’t a chance for even one question, but after the driver had gotten back into his seat, Mr. Mazzeeck leaned out the window.
    He spoke softly, behind his hand. “Once again, good-by, and thank you,” he said. “And Harry, just a word or two of warning. As with all good magic, there is a bit of skill involved, so proceed with caution, particularly right at first. And above all use discretion. Remember, there must be absolutely no public notice! If a breath of this should get into the papers, your gift will be reclaimed, and I will be in trouble again. In my position that can only mean transfer to a subsidiary branch. I might even be assigned to the Voo Doo Line. You may not understand just what that would mean, but try to imagine how it would be for a man who has supplied the greatest heroes of myth and legend, to be forced to end his career peddling crocodiles’ tongues and bats’ gizzards to second-rate witches.”
    “Gee, Mr. Mazzeeck,” Harry whispered, “I wouldn’t want to get you into any trouble. If you think I might, maybe I better not keep the—uh—what you gave me.”
    “Not at all,” Mr. Mazzeeck said. “If you are careful, there should be no problem. The company cleared you for a gift, you know; I was only responsible for picking the right one.” Then he smiled archly, the way people do when they’re going to pay you a compliment. “I had no difficulty in getting the authorization. There’s even a prophecy in your favor.”
    “A prophecy!” Harry gasped. “How did ...
    But at that moment the taxi driver started the motor. Mr. Mazzeeck leaned out and took Harry’s wrist in a firm clasp. “You must promise me that you’ll be careful.”
    “Sure, Mr. Mazzeeck. I’ll be careful as anything.” Harry had the funny feeling that he hadn’t the slightest notion what he was promising, but you just couldn’t refuse anyone who looked so desperate.
    All the tiny crinkles in Mr. Mazzeeck’s face rearranged themselves into a few deep smile-lines. “I’m sure you will,” he said. Then he leaned forward and spoke to the driver. “The train station, if you please.” The taxi pulled away down Kerry Street, turned the corner, and disappeared from view.

The Last Possibility
    L IKE SOMEONE IN A dream, Harry walked back into the house and up the stairs. On the first landing he ran into Mom. “What’s going on?” she asked. “I keep hearing people going up and down the stairs.”
    “Mr. Mazzeeck just left,” Harry said. “I helped him carry his luggage out to the taxi.”
    “That’s strange. He didn’t say anything about leaving tonight at dinner. And he’s all paid up until Thursday.”
    “He said he’d just heard from his boss or something,” Harry said. “I guess it was sort of unexpected.”
    Mom went back into her