1ML LN

goblin in the bed?” replicd the King, laughing contemptuously. * All women are as timid as hares, and as senseless.”

Upon which, hike a true hero, he bravely entered the bed, but as quickly jumped out again, howling frantically and dragging with

him the cat, whose claws were firmly em- bedded n tllL call of his leg. At the cries of the the sentinel

hastened to the door, and knocking threc times with his halberd, inquired 1f assistance was neceded.

“Silence T shouted the King, ashamed of his weakness, and not wishing to make an cxhibition of himsclf.

He struck the tinder-box, re-lit the lamp, and on going towards the bed, discovered in the middle the cat, who had returned to her place and was qulu]\ licking her kittens.

“This is oo bad ' he exclaimed ; * the mpudent animal has no regard for our crown, and has chosen our Roval bed as a snug corner for her kittens. Wait a moment,

little wretch ;3 T will soon give yvou your reward |7 “sShe will bite you,” cried the Queen:

“she may be mad.”

“There 1s nothing to be alarmed ate my dear,” said the good King. He then took the shLLLs by the four corners, and, tying them together with cat and kittens he rolled all together i the blanket and counterpanc, and tlnux the enormous bundle out of the window.

“Now we will go into the next room,” he said to the Queen, “and since we have had our revenge, we may hope to sleep e peace.”

The I\m“ slept, and we may imagine pleasant dILde refreshed his slumbers - Dut while he slept a little man climbed upon the roof, and, with the aid of a rope, shpped quickly down into the courtyard. Hce began to scarch for some invisible object, which, having found, he hoisted on his back, and was soon after hastening along the snow- covered road. The sentinels th()wfht thev had scen some phantom, and \\(mduul what those cries they had heard, like those of new-born infant, could mean.

When the King awoke the next morning he began to think over the events of the previous night. A dim suspicion dawned upon his mind that he had been the victim of some practical joke, and that its author was probably the hittle grev man. He sent for him immediately. The little man arrived, carrying on his shoulders the shects neatly folded, and falling with bended knees beforc the Quecn, he said humbly :—

GRLE Y LN, 535

“Your Majesty is aware that I have only carricd out the King's orders; I hope your Majesty will he gracious enough to pardon me.”

“1 pardon vou,” replied the Queen, “on condition that we sec you no more, or clse 1 shnll dic of fright with vour tri(‘k% K

“But 7/ do not pardon vou,” said the Ning, very much annoyed that the Queen should have taken upon herself to act

without consulting her lord and master. “l.ook here, vou rogue, vou shall be hanged to-morrow night, unless vou have man’wcd before then to steal the Queen herself !

“Your Majesty,” cried the little man, *‘let mc be hanged at onee, for you would sparc me twenty-four hours of anxiety. How could T attempt such a thing? It would be to steal the moon.”

“T'hat is vour husiness, not mine,” rephed the King. *TIn the meantime, the gallows shall be prepared.”

The little man left the Court mn despair, burying his head in his hands, and sobbing pitifully : the Ning laughed joyfully.

In the dusk of cevening a holy monk, carrving a rosary in his hand and a bag under his arm, came to the palace to beg as usual for his convent. When the Queen had

YA HoLY LoNkK.