The R.S.M. went off. The instant the key turned on the two men, Alf produced the Button and rubbed it. "What wouldst thou have?" began Eustace, his deep voice reverberating round the little cell. "I am...." "Stop it—they'll 'ear you!" [Pg 110] [Pg 110] "They 'ave 'eard 'im," whispered Bill. "Quick, Alf." The sergeant, who had heard the rumbling voice, was already fumbling with the stiff lock. "Take us away," whispered Alf in trembling tones. "Anywhere out of 'ere. Quick!" Quick! Before the sergeant had opened the door the whole camp had faded from their view, and the two found themselves in a desolate waste, faced by a very puzzled and indignant djinn. "Lumme, that was a near squeak!" gasped Alf. "Yes," said Bill. He addressed Eustace in heated tones. "What the 'ell did you want to go an' land us in a mess like that for? Didn't Mr. 'Iggins say as plain as print it was a transfer we wanted. Don't you know nothing at all?" "It's always the same," put in Alf parenthetically. "No common sense. Too slap-dash an' 'olesale." But Eustace was ignorant of the nature of his offense. He was conscious only that he had had to be called in at a desperate crisis to rescue his master from danger. He was full of indignation at such sacrilege. "Lord!" he said. "Command me that I should go to that impious one and instantly reduce him to ashes—both him and his family and all that are about him. Ill beseemeth it that any should lay impious hands upon the Lord of the Button, and live." [Pg 111] [Pg 111] "'E's a bloodthirsty customer, ain't
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