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Rh CHAPTER XXV

only had I been unable to sleep, but by my tossing about I had kept poor dear Bulger awake so that when morning came we both looked haggard enough. I felt as if I had been through a fit of sickness, and no doubt he did too. At any rate I had no appetite for the heavy meat diet of the Koltykwerps, and seeing me refuse my breakfast, Bulger did likewise.

I had promised Schneeboule to come early to the palace, for she had a number of questions which she wished to ask me concerning the upper world.

"Good-morning, little baron," she cried in her sweetest tones as I entered the throne-room. "Didst sleep well last night on the new pelt which papa sent thee?" I was about to make a reply when Schneeboule's hand coming in contact with mine,— for we had both removed our gloves in order to shake hands,— she uttered a piercing scream, and drawing back stood there blowing her breath on her right palm as she exclaimed, again and again,—

"Firebrand! Firebrand!"

In an instant King Gelidus and a group of his councillors drew near, and, pulling over their gloves, one after the other laid his hand in mine.

"Glowing coals!" cried his frigid Majesty.