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172 the soldiers reached the red door, the hermit opened it willingly.

"Boys?" said he, in answer to their question. "I have no boys! I am an old man and have lived in this desert place many a long year without wife or child to bear me company. You must be mistaken!"

The soldiers pushed the hermit roughly aside and entered the cave.

"You had better not lie to the Khan's soldiers!" said the captain threateningly.

"I have told you no lie," replied the hermit, "but if you doubt my word, come in, look and see."

For a moment the men hesitated, then, with an oath, the captain seized the hermit by his long white beard and shook him.

"So you thought you would give us the trouble of searching!" said he. We'll do no such thing! I know there is a boy here, and my orders are to fetch him, so bring him out at once—and I'll teach you to hurry!"