s there?" asked the innkeeper, poking his head out of the window.

"Puss in Boots, Junior."

"Very well, Master Boots," said the innkeeper. "Rest on the porch till I
put on my boots." And pretty soon the door opened and the sleepy
innkeeper appeared with a lighted candle in his hand. "Ah, you have a
horse," he said. "Come, I will show you the way to the stable."

"Bad luck," cried the innkeeper, as a gust of wind blew out the candle.
"The moon is behind a cloud. 'Tis dark. Can you make your way?"

"Never fear," replied Puss. "A cat can see in the dark."

But, goodness me! just as they reached the barn a bat knocked off Puss,
Junior's, hat.

"Bat, bat, come under my hat
And I'll give you a slice of bacon,
And when I bake I'll give you a cake,
If I am not mistaken,"

cried the innkeeper.

[Illustration]

"That sounds mighty good to me," said Puss, Junior. "I've had no supper
yet, and it's nearly morning."

"So it is," answered the innkeeper. "Well, we'll give your Good Gray
Horse a mess of oats and some hay. After that we'll go back to the inn
and cook a slice of bacon."

"And when you bake please give me a cake, or I'll be much disappointed,"
cried Puss.

"I'd rather give it to you than to that old bat," said the innkeeper,
closing the stable door and pushing in the bolt. "Of course, he catches
lots of mice, but at the same time I don't like him."

"So you like me better?" said Puss.

"Well, we'll wait and see," said the innkeeper. "In the meantime, come
in." And he opened the door and led Puss into the kitchen.

THE ROBBER FAIRIES

"COCKS crow in the morn
To tell us to rise,
And he who lies late
Will never be wise;

"For early to bed
And early to rise
Is the way to be healthy
And wealthy and wise."

"Well, I haven't been to bed at all," said Puss. "I was held up in the
forest."

"What!" exclaimed the innkeeper. "I had no idea there were robbers
about."

"There were no robbers, my good host," said Puss. "You would hardly
believe me if I were to relate what actually happened."

"Tell me," said the innkeeper, "while I fry the bacon."

So Puss explained how the fairies had made him captive, although he
feared that the good man would doubt the truth of the story. But,
instead, the innkeeper said:

[Illustration]

"'Tis not the first time, my goo