peared dressed as gendarmes.
The judge then, pointing to Pinocchio, said to them:

"That poor devil has been robbed of four gold pieces; take him away and
put him immediately into prison."

The puppet was petrified on hearing this unexpected sentence and tried
to protest; but the gendarmes, to avoid losing time, stopped his mouth
and carried him off to the lockup.

And there he remained for four months--four long months--and he would
have remained longer still if a fortunate chance had not released him.
The young Emperor who reigned over the town of "Trap for Blockheads,"
having won a splendid victory over his enemies, ordered great public
rejoicings. There were illuminations, fireworks, horse races and
velocipede races, and as a further sign of triumph he commanded that the
prisons should be opened and all the prisoners freed.

"If the others are to be let out of prison, I will go also," said
Pinocchio to the jailor.

"No, not you," said the jailor, "because you do not belong to the
fortunate class."

"I beg your pardon," replied Pinocchio, "I am also a criminal."

"In that case you are perfectly right," said the jailor, and, taking off
his hat and bowing to him respectfully, he opened the prison doors and
let him escape.

CHAPTER XX

PINOCCHIO STARTS BACK TO THE FAIRY'S HOUSE

You can imagine Pinocchio's joy when he found himself free. Without
stopping to take breath he immediately left the town and took the road
that led to the Fairy's house.

On account of the rainy weather the road had become a marsh into which
he sank knee-deep. But the puppet would not give in. Tormented by the
desire of seeing his father and his little sister with blue hair again,
he ran on like a greyhound, and as he ran he was splashed with mud from
head to foot. And he said to himself as he went along: "How many
misfortunes have happened to me. But I deserved them, for I am an
obstinate, passionate puppet. I am always bent upon having my own way,
without listening to those who wish me well, and who have a thousand
times more sense than I have! But from this time forth I am determined
to change and to become orderly and obedient. For at last I have seen
that disobedient boys come to no good and gain nothing. And has my papa
waited for me? Shall I find him at the Fairy's house? Poor man, it is so
long since I last saw him: I am dying to embrace him and to cover him
with kisses! And will the Fairy forgive me my bad conduct