Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 4).djvu/532

 goblin in the bed?" replied the King, laughing contemptuously. "All women are as timid as hares, and as senseless."

Upon which, like a true hero, he bravely entered the bed, but as quickly jumped out again, howling frantically and dragging with him the cat, whose claws were firmly embedded in the calf of his leg.

At the cries of the King, the sentinel hastened to the door, and knocking three times with his halberd, inquired if assistance was needed.

"Silence!" shouted the King, ashamed of his weakness, and not wishing to make an exhibition of himself.

He struck the tinder-box, re-lit the lamp, and on going towards the bed, discovered in the middle the cat, who had returned to her place and was quietly licking her kittens.

"This is too bad!" he exclaimed; "the impudent animal has no regard for our crown, and has chosen our Royal bed as a snug corner for her kittens. Wait a moment, little wretch; I will soon give you your reward!"

"She will bite you," cried the Queen; "she may be mad."

"There is nothing to be alarmed at, my dear," said the good King. He then took the sheets by the four corners, and, tying them together with cat and kittens inside, he rolled all together in the blanket and counterpane, and threw the enormous bundle out of the window.

"Now we will go into the next room," he said to the Queen, "and since we have had our revenge, we may hope to sleep in peace."

The King slept, and we may imagine pleasant dreams refreshed his slumbers; but while he slept a little man climbed upon the roof, and, with the aid of a rope, slipped quickly down into the courtyard. He began to search for some invisible object, which, having found, he hoisted on his back, and was soon after hastening along the snow-covered road. The sentinels thought they had seen some phantom, and wondered what those cries they had heard, like those of a new-born infant, could mean.

When the King awoke the next morning he began to think over the events of the previous night. A dim suspicion dawned upon his mind that he had been the victim of some practical joke, and that its author was probably the little grey man. He sent for him immediately. The little man arrived, carrying on his shoulders the sheets neatly folded, and falling with bended knees before the Queen, he said humbly:—

"Your Majesty is aware that I have only carried out the King's orders; I hope your Majesty will be gracious enough to pardon me."

"I pardon you," replied the Queen, "on condition that we see you no more, or else I shall die of fright with your tricks."

"But I do not pardon you," said the King, very much annoyed that the Queen should have taken upon herself to act without consulting her lord and master. "Look here, you rogue, you shall be hanged to-morrow night, unless you have managed before then to steal the Queen herself!"

"Your Majesty," cried the little man, "let me be hanged at once, for you would spare me twenty-four hours of anxiety. How could I attempt such a thing? It would be easier to steal the moon."

"That is your business, not mine," replied the King. "In the meantime, the gallows shall be prepared."

The little man left the Court in despair, burying his head in his hands, and sobbing pitifully; the King laughed joyfully.

In the dusk of evening a holy monk, carrying a rosary in his hand and a bag under his arm, came to the palace to beg as usual for his convent. When the Queen had