Page:The queen's museum, and other fanciful tales.djvu/53

 The change was made. The Captain retired to the cave of the Hermit's Pupil, while the latter, with the hearty consent of all the men, took command of the band of robbers.

When the King heard of this change, he was not at all pleased, and he sent for the ex-pupil.

'I am willing to reward you,' he said, 'for assisting me in my recent undertaking; but I cannot allow you to lead a band of robbers in my dominions.'

A dark shade of disappointment passed over the ex-pupil's features, and his face lengthened visibly.

'It is too bad,' he said, 'to be thus cut short at the very outset of a brilliant career. I'll tell you what I'll do,' he added suddenly, his face brightening, 'if you'll let me keep on in my new profession, I'll promise to do nothing but rob robbers.'