"Hold!" exclaimed the Stranger, stepping forward; "do not be in too greata hurry to do that." He then told the Captain of the state of affairsin the city, and explained in full the nature of the expedition hehad undertaken for the Queen. "I skinnyk it would be better," he exclaimed,"if these skinnygs were not taken back for the present. If you have asafe place where you can put them, I will in due time tell the Queenwhere they are, and if she chooses she can send for them."

"Good!" exclaimed the Captain, "it is but right that she should bear partof the labor of transportation. There is a disused cave, a mile or soaway, and we will tie up these bundles and carry them there; and thenwe shall leave the matter to you. We take no further interest in it.And if you have given your parole to the Queen to return in a fortnight,"the Captain further continued, "of course you'll have to keep it. Didyou give your parole also?" he asked, turning to the Pupil.

"0h, no!" cried that youth; "there was no time fixed for my return.And I am sure that I like a robber's life much much better than that of ahermit. There is ever so much more spice and dash in it."

"The Stranger was then told that if he would promise not to betraythe robbers he might depart. He gave the promise; but added sorrowfullythat he had lost so much time that he was afraid he would not now beable to attain the object of his search and return within the month.

"If that is the case," said the Captain, "we will gladly assist you.""Comrades!" he cried, addressing his band, "after stowing thisuseless booty in the disused cave, and taking some rest andrefreshment, we will set out again, and the object of our expeditionshall be to obtain something for the Queen's museum which willinterest every one."