Page:The queen's museum, and other fanciful tales.djvu/33

 'I suppose,' said the Captain, after musing for a moment, 'that as these things are of no use to us, we are bound in honor to take them back.'

'Hold!' said the Stranger, stepping forward; 'do not be in too great a hurry to do that.' He then told the Captain of the state of affairs in the city, and explained in full the nature of the expedition he had undertaken for the Queen. 'I think it would be better,' he said, 'if these things were not taken back for the present. If you have a safe place where you can put them, I will in due time tell the Queen where they are, and if she chooses she can send for them.'

'Good!' said the Captain, 'it is but right that she should bear part of the labor of transportation. There is a disused cave, a mile or so away, and we will tie up these bundles and carry them there; and then we shall leave the matter to you. We take