glared at the lad and at the animals with blazing eyes. "What does
this mean?" he shouted.

But at that moment John himself gave a cry. He had seen a figure that
he knew, and, forgetting all else, he was hurrying towards it. At one
side of the throne stood the Hermit, pale and sad, with his hands tied
behind his back and a rope about his neck. He was guarded on each side
by a man with a drawn sword.

"My father!" cried John, throwing himself upon the good man's neck
before the wondering guards could interfere. At the same time Brutus
gave a loud bark of joy and leaped upon his master.

"My dear son!" cried the Hermit, with tears in his eyes. "I thought
not to see you again!"

At the sound of his voice the cat gave a loud "Miaou!" and ran to him.
The kittens squeaked and tried to climb his gown. The bear growled
contentedly and trotted to his side. The wolf leaped to him with
fierce pleasure. The raven hopped to his feet with a scream of Joy,
and the carrier pigeon, with a soft "Coo!" fluttered to his shoulder.
To the watching men and women of that court it seemed a miracle.

For a moment all was silent. Then the King found voice. "What does
this mean?" he cried again. "How have this vagrant and his vile beasts
found entrance to my palace? It is the hour for execution, not for
mummery. Why is not the signal given?"

"O King," said John timidly, "they let me in because I said that I came
to cure your son, if may be."

"More sorcery!" howled the King, beside himself with rage. "Take him
away! Slay them all,--the old man, the boy, the animals! I have
waited too long already. Perhaps even now my son is dead!" He rose,
trembling.

But the Hermit's voice rang out now, loud and clear. "O King," he
cried, "enough talk of sorcery and magic. This boy has come to help
your son, who sought to slay him. He has brought the animals whose
lives you covet, to show you how much you may owe to them. Lo, this
carrier pigeon bore my message bidding him to come,--not for my sake.
For I told him nothing of the danger in which I lay. This noble dog
guided him to the village by a path which only he could follow. Now
with these other animals he hopes to amuse the Prince and awaken him to
life. There is no magic in this; only love, O King--the love which is
lacking in your sad and sullen kingdom."

There was a murmur in the crowd, which swayed forward toward John and
the Hermit. For some seconds the King stoo