them."

At these words Owl flew into the top of a tree and hooted.

"I do not like cages," said he. "I prefer a tree top."

And though the King tried soft words and made promises, the Owl refused
to budge, looking down upon them all with great round eyes.

Coal and Ember growled and showed their teeth, and Alligator opened
wide his great jaws and lashed about with his tail; but the little
soldiers threw themselves valiantly upon them and bore them away as the
King ordered.

"You two," said the King to Andy and Hortense, "have proved yourselves
brave and are deserving of reward. We attach you to our person. You may
stand guard in the palace."

The Queen, who had been looking hard at Hortense, spoke.

"May I not have them?" said she.

"Certainly, my love," the King replied graciously. "All that is mine is
yours. Besides, you may need stout protection from our enemy. Already
it has taken from us our Court Jester and Court Poet." The King walked
nervously up and down. "Our magic power is of no avail," said he,
"against such evil."

Andy and Hortense, in obedience to the Queen's wish, took their place
at the door of her apartment, and soon she called them to her.

"I see," said she to Hortense, "that you are the little girl who was
here before, and this, I suppose, is the little boy. Now tell me all
about it."

Hortense was much surprised but did as she was told, for she felt the
Queen to be her friend.

"Alas," said the Queen, "Grater has already made prisoners of Highboy
and Lowboy. I had persuaded the King to make them his Court Jester and
Poet but before they could even be brought here, they were waylaid and
borne away."

"In that case," said Hortense, "we must go to their rescue. Will you
grant us permission?"

"Gladly," said the Queen, "although I cannot free the others without
appealing to the King, and it is best for the present not to tell him
who you are. I shall contrive to see Malay Kris and send him after you.
Wait near by."

Accordingly, Andy and Hortense slipped out of the palace unseen and
waited where they were joined shortly by Malay Kris, who was so eager
for a fight that Andy and Hortense had to beg him to be cautious.

They quietly crept close to the Cat's house, and Owl, who had joined
them, peeped in at the window.

"All quiet," said he.

The four entered.

"Highboy and Lowboy are in the cooky jar," said the Clock, not waiting
to be asked. "Make haste!"

It was not easy to