comfort her.

"Well, we'll try the back," he said, and taking the Duchess again by
the arm he led the way around the wide drive towards the rear of the
palace. As it was an immense building and very rambling it took them
some time to reach a high gate in a wall, which, the Duchess moaned
out, led to the kitchen.

Inside was a courtyard all paved with red bricks, very neat-looking, no
doubt, when kept in proper order, but now the weeds were growing up
through the crevices in the bricks and the placed looked very neglected.

They walked across the courtyard to the kitchen door, and after
knocking several times and getting no response Daimur tried it, and to
his surprise found that it was not locked.

He pushed it open and they entered the great kitchen. There was not a
soul in sight.

They walked on through the rooms and found them almost bare. Carpets
had been taken up, furniture removed, all of the best silver was
missing, and the Royal Rose china was completely gone,--so the Duchess
said.

What could it mean? And where was Queen Amy, her court and her
servants?

It was the same throughout the whole palace. Everything that had any
value had been removed, even the embroidered satin bedspreads.

They descended to the cellar and went towards the little room where the
Duchess declared had stood the steel treasure chest. The door of the
little room stood open and to tell the truth they expected to find the
place empty, but what was their surprise to see the chest standing
there perfectly solid looking.

"Of course it is empty," said the Duchess with a sniff, as she stooped
and fitted the little key into the lock.

Daimur and Redmond lifted the lid, and behold! IT WAS FULL OF GOLD TO
THE VERY BRIM!

It was all packed carefully in glass boxes bound with steel and each
box was labeled with the owner's name.

The largest box bore Queen Amy's name, and the royal coat of arms.

They were so astonished that they did not say a word but stood staring
at the gold as if fascinated.

Suddenly they were startled by a slight noise behind them, and both
Daimur and Prince Redmond involuntarily drew their swords as they
turned quickly around.

What they beheld was a frightened looking little creature who gazed at
them from behind a large empty packing case in a corner.

"Come here," said Daimur rather sternly. "Who are you and what are you
doing here? Are there any other people about?"

The little thing advan