ng?"

"This scroll," said Rinkitink, "is indeed a masterpiece. Its advice is
of tremendous value. 'Never step on another man's toes.' Let us think
this over. The inference is that we should step upon our own toes, which
were given us for that purpose. Therefore, if I stepped upon another
man's toes, I would be the other man. Hoo, hoo, hoo!--the other
man--hee, hee, heek-keek-eek! Funny, isn't it?"

"Didn't I say--" began Bilbil.

"No matter what you said, my boy," roared the King. "No fool could have
figured that out as nicely as I did."

"We have still to decide how to remove the blocks of marble," suggested
Inga anxiously.

"Fasten a rope to them, and pull," said Bilbil.

"Don't pay any more attention to Rinkitink, for he is no wiser than the
man who wrote that brainless scroll. Just get the rope, and we'll fasten
Rinkitink to one end of it for a weight and I'll help you pull."

"Thank you, Bilbil," replied the boy. "I'll get the rope at once."

Bilbil found it difficult to climb over the ruins to the floor of the
banquet hall, but there are few places a goat cannot get to when it
makes the attempt, so Bilbil succeeded at last, and even fat little
Rinkitink finally joined them, though much out of breath.

Inga fastened one end of the rope around a block of marble and then made
a loop at the other end to go over Bilbil's head. When all was ready the
boy seized the rope and helped the goat to pull; yet, strain as they
might, the huge block would not stir from its place. Seeing this, King
Rinkitink came forward and lent his assistance, the weight of his body
forcing the heavy marble to slide several feet from where it had lain.

But it was hard work and all were obliged to take a long rest before
undertaking the removal of the next block.

"Admit, Bilbil," said the King, "that I am of some use in the world."

"Your weight was of considerable help," acknowledged the goat, "but if
your head were as well filled as your stomach the task would be still
easier."

[Illustration]

When Inga went to fasten the rope a second time he was rejoiced to
discover that by moving one more block of marble he could uncover the
tile with the secret spring. So the three pulled with renewed energy and
to their joy the block moved and rolled upon its side, leaving Inga free
to remove the treasure when he pleased.

But the boy had no intention of allowing Bilbil and the King to share
the secret of the royal treasures of Pingare