at every cat has nine lives, so I
should think that there must be eighty-one lives here."

"You'd be wrong, then," said the Wizard, "for some of these cats have
only one or two lives left. I keep 'em, you understand, so that when
folks lose their lives, all they have to do is to come to me and I can
sell them new ones from the cats."

"Do the cats like it?" asked Vance.

"They don't mind," replied the Wizard. "Anyhow, they know they've all
got to come to it. When the last life is gone, a cat turns into a wind;
you've heard them of a March night, yowling about the castle turrets."

"The moon," said the witch, speaking for the first time, "being probably
if not otherwise added to this whose salt, magnifying."

"You are right, my dear," said the Wizard, "as you always are. The boy
_is_ better off in bed."

Upon this the Wizard left the table and led Vance to a neat little
bed-chamber, where he bade him good-night. The Prince, having opened his
box to give his family some air, lay down and enjoyed the first night of
slumber in a bed which he had known since leaving the palace.

The next morning, after breakfasting with the Wizard, the witch, and the
cats, the Prince was called into the garden and given a spade.

"Just dig awhile, as we talk," said the Wizard, seating himself, "and
see if you can find any Greek roots. My wife wants some for a philter
she is making."

[Illustration]

"Tintypes," observed the witch, "catnip promulgating canticles
concerning emoluments, producing."

Vance stared; but the Wizard, who was evidently accustomed to this odd
sort of talk, answered quietly:

"You are right, as usual, my dear. He must be very careful not to cut
them in two with his spade."

The Prince took the spade and began to dig, though not very hopefully.
The truth was, he had never been at all successful in finding Greek
roots himself; and besides he was longing to ask the Wizard for the
charm which should restore his family. However, he dug away bravely and
said nothing till the Wizard spoke to him.

"I suppose," said the Wizard, at length, "that, as to your family, you
know the rule for simple reduction, don't you?"

"Yes," said the Prince, doubtfully, "I do if that page wasn't torn out
of my book. However, I could learn it."

"Learn it, then," said the Wizard; "and when you have learned it, use
it."

"But, if you please," ventured the Prince, humbly, "they are already
reduced to the lowest terms. I don't