moved faster; but the ears did not fly and
every motion was a jerk. Nevertheless, the princess's heart had now begun
to suffocate her. She recalled Gabriel's story of washing off the brown
color from the dingy fur in the brook, and her eyes swam with tears at the
mere possibility that this might be the object of her search. She had just
sense enough to keep still and leave everything to Gabriel. Here, too,
approached the tall gentleman, followed by an officer of the law. Gabriel
saw at a glance that it was the same big fellow who had driven him away
yesterday.

The tall, dignified gentleman-in-waiting looked in disgust at the stiff
little brown dancer.

"This foolish peasant is but getting us into trouble," he thought, "but he
will suffer for it."

Indeed, Gabriel knew the law of the land; knew that if he accused the
organ-grinder wrongfully he would be walked off to prison in his place; but
Gabriel had seen the brown dog's eyes. There were no doubts in his heart,
which bounded so that it seemed as if it could hardly stay within his
bosom.

"Come away, your highness," murmured the gentleman-in-waiting, in the
princess's ear. "This is a farce."

"Stand back and wait," she replied sternly, and he obeyed.

Meanwhile the organ-grinder had observed the newcomers and was showing
every tooth in his head at the prospect of a rich harvest of coppers. In a
minute he ceased playing. The brown dog dropped to all fours, and his
hopeless air sent a pang through the princess.

The organ-grinder held out his cap.

"I don't think much of your dog's dancing," said Gabriel, looking him in
the eye. "I could make him do better, myself."

"It doesn't do to use the whip too much," replied the organ-grinder, but
Gabriel had already gone on his knees beside the dog and whispered to him.
Instantly the little creature went into a transport of delight. Bounding to
the boy's breast, it clung there so closely that Gabriel gave up the
experiment that he had intended of trying to show the organ-man how his
slave could dance.

Rising, Gabriel held the panting Topaz in his arms. "I declare," he said
aloud, "I declare this to be the princess's lost dog."

The organ-grinder scowled and grew pale. "'Tis a lie," he cried, "hers was
a golden dog."

"This is a golden dog," said Gabriel.

Even the gentleman-in-waiting was impressed by the certainty of the boy's
voice. The organ-grinder turned to the officer and shook his fist. "'Tis
that boy a