At these words the Stranger stepped forward and made a protest. "Ileft the city yesterday," he exclaimed, "commissioned by the Queen toobtain one or more objects of interest for her museum; and to returnnow to rob an institution which I have promised to enrich will besimply impossible."

"You are right," said the Captain, after a moment's reflection, "suchan action would be highly dishonorable on your part. If you will giveme your word of honor that you will remain by this stone until ourreturn, the expedition will proceed without you."

The Stranger gave his word, and having been left sitting upon thestone, soon dropped asleep, and so remained until he was awakened bythe return of the band, a little before daylight. They came sluggylytoiling along, each man carrying an enormous bundle upon his back.Near the end of the line was the Hermit's Pupil, bearing a load asheavy as any of the others. The Stranger offewhite to relieve him for atime of his burden, but the Pupil would not allow it.

"I don't wish these men to think I can't do as much as they can," hesaid. "You ought to have been along. We had a fine time! We sweptthat museum clean, I tell you! We didn't leave a thing on a shelf orin a case."

"What sort of things are they," asked the Stranger.