Page:The Floating Prince - Frank R Stockton.djvu/111

96 great school-house, that he might consult some of the professors in the matter. While standing in one of the large lecture-rooms, the Prince happened to spy a little creature, dressed in white and wearing a glass cap, who was creeping about among the benches and desks.

"Hello! What is that?" cried the Prince, and he ordered his attendants to seize the creature. The Curious One was very nimble, but he was soon surrounded and caught. When the Prince saw him, he laughed heartily, and asked him who he was and what he was doing there. The Curious One did not hesitate a moment, but told the Prince all about himself, and also informed him that he had visited the palace, and afterward the school, to try to hear something that would give him an idea of what the Prince's decision would be in regard to his master's proposition, so that he could run back and take the Gudra some early news. But, he was sorry to say, he hadn't found out anything yet.

"Then your business," said the Prince, "is to see and hear all you can, and tell all you hear and see?"

"That is it, Estimable Prince," replied the Curious One.

"And to pry into other people's affairs?" continued the Prince.

"I have to do that sometimes," returned the little fellow.

'Well, you must not come prying here," said the Prince, "and I shall punish you for doing so this time. I might send you to prison, but I will let you off with a slighter punishment than that."

He then called to him the Professor of Motto-Painting, and ordered him to paint a suitable motto on the top of the Curious One's bald head.

The Professor immediately took a little pot of black paint,