Part 28 (1/2)

[Ill.u.s.tration]

”I've broken stones before,” said the Irishman, ”but this is the first chance I ever had to get a whack at diamonds.”

”Vell,” said the German Brownie, ”if I see somedings in dot blace s.h.i.+ning like blitzen I bulls him oudt alretty yed und say noddings!”

They were then hustled off to their new tasks.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

With the mine-sprites and Brownies the king started to dig away, and he tried not to s.h.i.+rk, but to do his stint with the rest of them. The sight of royalty reduced to hard labor affected all his subjects greatly, though they had little opportunity for sympathy so severely did their taskmasters press them.

The heaps of precious stones piled up higher and higher, and their eyes fairly blinked at the sight of them.

”I never saw so many jewels before in all my life,” declared His Majesty, wincing as he felt a sudden crick in his back. ”Whenever I look at them I feel just as though I were going to break out with carbuncles.”

”I wonder when they'll bring us something to eat,” said Florimel, who was beginning to grow hungry.

He was very much relieved when some time later Boundingbore appeared with a cauldron of lukewarm soup, which was served in skimpy little plates.

”Here, take mine back,” complained King Stanislaus. ”Look what's in it!

Just imagine what would have happened to me if I had swallowed it.”

As he spoke he held up a pin which he had found in his soup.

”It wouldn't have hurt you, Your Majesty,” said the Policeman. ”It's a safety pin.”

Now and then some adventurous Brownies would discover a new dark pa.s.sage, and with the hope that it might lead to liberty the more progressive would get their heads together and plan a break for freedom.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

For a time it looked as though one of these attempts would be crowned with success, and liberty itself seemed to beckon in the offing. But, just as promising enterprises in our own uncertain careers often end in disappointment, so would each n.o.ble effort only result in a punishment of heavier burdens and shorter rations.

Mandrake with a tray of food went down one of the dark pa.s.sages, and soon returned empty-handed. This Florimel noted, and he said to King Stanislaus:

”Your Majesty, t.i.tania and her companions must be over there. I am going to try to find them.”

He took from the Sailor, who had charge of it, Euphrosyne's dove, and, opening the bosom of his jacket, let it cuddle close against his breast, with just its head now and then showing.

At a moment when the attention of all Dragonfel's followers was temporarily diverted by some remarkable discovery he made a sudden dash down the pa.s.sage where he believed Queen t.i.tania and the others were imprisoned.

His companions grouped themselves together to screen his fleeing form as best they could, and he succeeded in getting away without detection.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Florimel ran along the pa.s.sage, and his supernatural vision guided him.

So when he came to a gem-crusted door he was able to see stretched before it a form that he at once recognized as the Red Spirit.

The lazy fellow had been left to guard the prisoners, but had neglected his duty, and was fast asleep.

Florimel heard him snoring away so that he knew his slumber was a heavy one, and he tiptoed up to him with confidence.