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sight of the gems strewn three rogues imprisoned their mouths, one of the
along the floor. in it, detached itself from guards gave them a dig in
“See, see!” he cried, his the rest of the castle, and the ribs.
voice shrill and greedy. flew off into the air. From For a space of five
“There is yet more to be the barred windows, the minutes there was quiet
had!” King, the Chamberlain, in the crowded throne-
So the three rogues got and the Chancellor saw room, a quiet broken now
down on their hands and league upon league of the and then by a veiled
knees and began stuffing forest rushing by beneath cough or the noise of
the stray jewels into their them. Suddenly the flying shuffling feet. Presently,
bulging pockets. The trail room began to descend from far away, came the
of jewels led them across swiftly, and landed lightly clear, sweet call of silver
the hall to the little door as a bird in the middle of trumpets.
opening on the stairway, a castle courtyard. “He’s coming! He’s
and up this stairway they Strange-looking fellows coming!” murmured
scrambled as fast as they with human bodies and many voices. A buzz of
could go. heads of horses came excitement filled the
At the top of the stair, rushing toward the room. Several people had
in the turret, they found enchanted turret, and to be revived with
another round room lit by seized its prisoners. In a smelling salts.
three narrow, barred few moments they were The trumpets sounded
windows, and in the brought before the King a second time. The
centre of this turret to whom the treasure excitement increased.
chamber, likewise laden belonged. The trumpets sounded
with gold and jewels, they Now this King was a a third time, near at
found another ebony brother of the dwarf hand. A man’s voice
table. With shrieks of whom the hunter had announced in solemn
delight, the King and the rescued from the pit. He tones, “The Lord Chief
Chancellor and the had a little gold crown on Justice approaches.”
Chamberlain ran to this his head, and sat on a The audience grew very
second treasure, and little golden throne with still. Hardly a rustle or a
plunged their hands in cushions of crimson flutter was heard.
the glittering golden velvet. Suddenly the great
mass. “With what are these tapestry curtains which
Suddenly, a great bell three charged?” said the overhung the door parted,
rang in the castle, a great Dwarf-King. and there appeared, first
brazen bell whose deep “With having tried to of all, an usher, clad in
clang beat about them in rob the treasure castle, red velvet and carrying a
throbbing, singing waves. Your Majesty,” replied one golden wand; then came
“What’s that?” said the of the horse-headed two golden-haired pages,
three rogues in one servitors in a firm, stable also clad in red velvet and
breath, and rushed tone. carrying a flat black-
together to the door. “Then send for the lacquer box on a velvet
It was locked! An Lord Chief Justice at cushion. Last of all came
instant later there was a once,” said the Dwarf- an elderly man dressed in
heavy explosion which King. black, and carrying a
threw them all to the The three culprits were golden perch on which
floor, tossing the treasure left standing uneasily in a sat a fine green parrot.
over them; and then, kind of cage. They would On reaching the centre of
wonder of wonders, the have tried to speak, but the hall, the parrot
castle turret, with the every time they opened flapped its wings,
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