Read Wizard at Large for Free Online

you did, I imagine. I went to school.”
    “You did? They teach dogs how to talk where you're from?”
    Abernathy was finding it hard to stay patient. “Of course not. I wasn't a dog, then. I was a man.”
    Elizabeth was fascinated. “You were?” She hesitated, thinking. “Oh, I see—a wizard did this to you, didn't he? Just like
Beauty and the Beast.
Do you know the story? There was this handsome prince and he was changed into an ugly beast by a wicked spell and couldn't be changed back again until he was truly loved.”She stopped. “Is that what happened to you, Abernathy?”
    “Well…”
    “Was the wizard a wicked wizard?”
    “Well…”
    “Why did he change you into a dog? What kind of dog are you, Abernathy?”
    Abernathy licked his nose. He was thirsty. “Do you suppose you could open the door to this display case and let me out?” he asked.
    Elizabeth hurried forward, curls bouncing. “Oh, sure.”She stopped. “It's locked, Abernathy. These cases are always locked. Michel keeps them that way to protect his things. He's very mistrustful.”She paused. “Oh, oh. What's happened to the bottle that was in there? There was a white bottle painted with dancing clowns and now it's gone! What's happened to it? Are you sitting on it, Abernathy? Michel will be furious! Is it under you somewhere, maybe?”
    Abernathy rolled his eyes. I have no idea, Elizabeth. I cannot see anything under me because I cannot move out of the way to look. I will probably never see anything under me again if I do not get out of here!”
    “I told you, the door's locked,”Elizabeth repeated solemnly. “But maybe I can get a key. My father is steward of Graum Wythe. He has keys to everything. He's gone right now, but let me check his room. I'll be right back!” She started away. “Don't worry, Abernathy. Just wait here!”
    Then she was gone, out the door like a cat. Abernathy sat quietly in the silence and thought. What bottle was she talking about, who is Michel, where is Graum Wythe? He had known a Michel once. And a Graum Wythe. But that was years ago, and that Michel and that Graum Wythe were best forgotten
    He felt a sudden chill steal up his spine as the almost forgotten memories took shape once more. No, it couldn't be, he told himself. It was just a coincidence. Probably he heard wrong. Probably Elizabeth said something else and he misunderstood.
    The minutes slipped away, and finally she was back. She appeared noiselessly through the door, crossed to the display case, inserted a long iron key into the lock, and twisted. The glass and iron-mesh door opened, and Abernathy was free. Gingerly, he extricated himself.
    “Thank you, Elizabeth,”he said.
    “You're welcome, Abernathy,”she replied. She straightened the upended vases, searched about in vain for the missing bottle, and finally gave up. She closed the display case door and locked it once more. “The bottle isn't there,”she announced solemnly.
    Abernathy straightened himself and brushed off his clothing. “I give you my word, I know nothing of its whereabouts,”he advised her.
    “Oh, I believe you,”she assured him. “But Michel might not. He isn't very understanding about such things.
    He doesn't even allow people in this room normally unless he invites them in—and then he stays right there with them. I can get in alone only because my father is steward. I like to come here to look at all the neat things. Do you know that there's a picture on the far wall with people in it that really move? And a music box that will play whatever you ask it to? I don't know what was in the bottle, but it was something special. Michel never let anyone near it.”
    A picture with people that moved and a music box that played requests?
Magic
, Abernathy thought instantly. “Elizabeth,”he interrupted, “where am I?”
    Elizabeth looked at him curiously. “In Graum Wythe, of course. Didn't I tell you that before?”
    “Yes, but… where is Graum Wythe?”
    The blue