'Come upstairs then,' he said, and led the way up a wide and
beautiful staircase. Anthea says the stairs were of white marble,
but I am not sure. On the corner-post of the stairs, at the top,
was a beautiful image of the Phoenix in dark metal, and on the wall
at each side was a flat sort of image of it.

The nice gentleman led them into a room where the chairs, and even
the tables, were covered with reddish leather. He looked at the
children inquiringly.

'Don't be frightened,' he said; 'tell me exactly what you want.'

'May I shut the door?' asked Cyril.

The gentleman looked surprised, but he shut the door.

'Now,' said Cyril, firmly, 'I know you'll be awfully surprised, and
you'll think it's not true and we are lunatics; but we aren't, and
it is. Robert's got something inside his Norfolk--that's Robert,
he's my young brother. Now don't be upset and have a fit or
anything sir. Of course, I know when you called your shop the
"Phoenix" you never thought there was one; but there is--and
Robert's got it buttoned up against his chest!'

'If it's an old curio in the form of a Phoenix, I dare say the
Board--' said the nice gentleman, as Robert began to fumble with
his buttons.

'It's old enough,' said Anthea, 'going by what it says, but--'