Chris returned happily to his chair and curled up in it as if he were
at home. Even Mr. Wicker's expression seemed to have changed, and as a
matter of fact it had, for the relief and portion of content that
showed now in the boy's face, was reflected in some measure in that of
the man. Before seating himself Mr. Wicker rang a silver bell on the
tray by the pitcher. In a moment Becky Boozer knocked on the door and
stuck her gigantic hat through the opening.
"You rang, sir?" she inquired, the feathers and roses bobbing as
cheerily as live things around the sweeping brim.
"I did, Becky. It occurred to me," said Mr. Wicker, looking sideways
at Chris, "that some hot chocolate for Master Christopher and coffee
for me would not be amiss at this hour of the morning. And," he added,
seeing the interested spark in the boy's eyes, "some of your delicious
little cakes, perhaps?"
"Most certainly," beamed Becky, "most certainly sir. I have the
chocolate hot, as it so happens, and some cakes new-baked."
She bustled off and in no time returned with a tray of china cups,
matching flowered pots for coffee and for chocolate, a bowl of sugar,
and a plate piled high with cakes. From one corner Becky pulled out a
small table which she placed between the two chairs. The tray was
safely settled, the fire given a poke and a fresh log before Mistress
Boozer removed herself, in her starched dress and apron and her
outrageous hat, from her master's study.
"Now," said Mr. Wicker, pouring out the steaming drinks, "we shall
refresh ourselves and you shall listen, if you will."
Chris took a sip of the hot chocolate and a bite of golden cake,
deciding that he had never tasted better. This point decided on within
himself, he gave his attention to the man across from him.
"I told you," Mr. Wicker said, "that I was a shipowner and a merchant.
That is true. But these are troubled times. A revolution has had the
land in its grasp. Times are bad, and this vast land is now convulsed
with the birth throes of democracy. Money is hard to come by, and much
needed, for General Washington's troops were farmers called away from
their harvesting or sowing. The period of healing, for them and for
the land, will be long and costly."
He paused to sip his coffee and then put the cup down.
"Destruction is so fast, and to construct and build," Mr. Wicker said,
staring at the fire, "that is what is slow." He turned to Chris.
"Without financial help, without money for the beginning of this new
land and this new government that is struggling to be born, this free
place and this fine democratic experiment will fail. I know a way to
save it, and you have been sent back into the past from our future--my
future and yours, and that of the land--to help us and make it real.
You will not disappoint me, Christopher?" Mr. Wicker turned burning
eyes on Chris's face. "You will help your country get its start?"
A wave of excitement such as he had never known surged over Chris and
he started to his feet, almost upsetting the table and making the cups
rattle on their saucers.
"Oh, yes sir! You bet! If I can, I'll help!"
Mr. Wicker's face expressed his satisfaction. He rose too and held out
his hand.
"I knew you would," he said. "It had to be, for it could be no other
way. But there is always doubt. Your hand, my boy, for we have work to
do together."
The two hands, large and small, were firm, one in the other, and Chris
felt a new power coming to him from the man whose hand he grasped.
"Listen closely," Mr. Wicker said, and Chris drew nearer. "There is a
wondrous thing, unique in the world, and which, for the benefit of
this growing country, we must obtain. Its possession will mean we can
pay for many things--a new city here, tools; building materials. This
wonderful object is the Jewel Tree belonging to the Princess of
China."
Chris waited, listening.
"This Jewel Tree," Mr. Wicker went on, "is a tree that grows, that
puts out leaves and flowers and bears fruit, but here is the wonder of
it," and he bent his piercing eyes on Chris's intent face. "This
growing tree is made of jewels; leaves and flowers and even seeded
fruit. The leaves are emeralds; the flowers, diamonds and sapphires;
the fruits, huge rubies seeded thick with pearls. Imagine such a
treasure if you can!" He spread his arms wide and Chris's eyes were
shining with excitement.
"Imagine the possession of such a plant!" Mr. Wicker went on. "Break
off a branch of it--another grows. And flowers and fruit--much like
your orange trees--bear both their fruit and flowers at the same
time."
They sat down again, the better to continue their conversation.
"The taking of such a prize would be hard enough," Mr. Wicker
continued, "for it is well guarded. But there is a greater hazard." He
rose from his chair to walk about in his nervousness and eagerness at
what lay ahead. Then he went on.
"There is a man here, posing as a merchant. Claggett Chew. You will
see him in the town when you walk there, which you shall do,
presently. But he has some magic powers, and knows me well. Too well."
Mr. Wicker shook his head and his eyes became slits of rage. "We have
been enemies for long," said Mr. Wicker, "but he has yet to get the
better of me."
"Is he after the Jewel Tree too?" Chris wanted to know.
"He is. He heard of it, by power of magic certainly, for it is a
secret so well guarded that those who carry knowledge of it--all but
myself, up to this time--all others have died before they could make
use of it. You can well imagine," Mr. Wicker enlarged, turning his
gaze on Chris, "that a treasure that replenishes itself is beyond
price. The Chinese Emperor knows it well. So do the guards about his
palaces, and so does Claggett Chew."
Mr. Wicker strode about, striking the closed fist of one hand into
the palm of the other, and Chris scrambled out of his chair to stand
watching the pacing figure. And it came to Chris as he followed with
his eyes the black swinging coat, the silver-buckled black knee
breeches, the neat white stock and black-brocaded waistcoat of the
magician, it came to him that he had a great confidence and affection
for this man. Even knowing him as little as he did, having to take so
much on trust, still, in Chris's mind there was no smallest grain of
doubt, suspicion, or distrust. He knew, without having to think it
out, that Mr. Wicker was a great man, great in knowledge and in heart.
Reliable and kind and wise. In that moment Chris put his whole faith
in a man he had not known yet for a day.
[Illustration]
"There is one way," Mr. Wicker said, wheeling about and standing
still, "and that is where I need your help." He strode back across the
room towards Chris. "This villain, Claggett Chew--for that is what he
is, no better--this villain knows me and he knows my power. But if my
power were in a boy--a lad he never would suspect--then--" Mr. Wicker
put both hands on Chris's shoulders and looked searchingly at
him--"then only would we have an opportunity to seize the Jewel Tree.
Can you learn what I know?" demanded Mr. Wicker. "Can you learn my
magic?"
"_Magic?_" Chris stammered. "Those tricks--the fly--and others?"
"Yes," said Mr. Wicker quietly. "Many more."
"Well," Chris answered after a moment's thought, "I got here, didn't
I? I've gone back all these years, so I guess I could." He looked up
with a grin. "At least I can try," he said.
Mr. Wicker gave Chris's shoulder a little shake of pride and
acceptance. "Good lad!" he said. "I know that you can learn. For you
it will not be hard."
"There's just one thing," Chris said, with puzzlement in his voice.
"You say, sir, 'Seize the Tree.' That means just stealing it? Must we
do that?"
Mr. Wicker looked at Chris and his face was serene and smooth with the
great satisfaction of his feelings.
"You are the lad for me!" he cried, and Chris felt himself coloring
with pleasure at the tone of Mr. Wicker's voice. "I knew it from the
first! It _would_ be stealing, boy, but for one thing. When--and
heaven willing, if--you reach the Tree, you will break a branch from
it and stick it in the ground. It will root itself and grow and
thrive, and the Princess will still have delicate jewel flowers for
her hair."
"And now," he said, "I smell a broiling chicken. Off you go and eat
your lunch, and later we shall talk again."
Chris went out smiling.