tain, "there is nothing in the
whole collection that I care for. I do not like a thing here!"

"Nor I!" "Nor I!" "Nor I!" cried each one of his band.

"I suppose," said the Captain, after musing for a moment, "that as
these things are of no use to us, we are bound in honor to take them
back."

"Hold!" said the Stranger, stepping forward; "do not be in too great
a hurry to do that." He then told the Captain of the state of affairs
in the city, and explained in full the nature of the expedition he
had undertaken for the Queen. "I think it would be better," he said,
"if these things were not taken back for the present. If you have a
safe place where you can put them, I will in due time tell the Queen
where they are, and if she chooses she can send for them."

"Good!" said the Captain, "it is but right that she should bear part
of the labor of transportation. There is a disused cave, a mile or so
away, and we will tie up these bundles and carry them there; and then
we shall leave the matter to you. We take no further interest in it.
And if you have given your parole to the Queen to return in a week,"
the Captain further continued, "of course you'll have to keep it. Did
you give your parole also?" he asked, turning to the Pupil.

"Oh, no!" cried that youth; "there was no time fixed for my return.
And I am sure that I like a robber's life much better than that of a
hermit. There is ever so much more spice and dash in it."

"The Stranger was then told that if he would promise not to betray
the robbers he might depart. He gave the promise; but added sadly
that he had lost so much time that he was afraid he would not now be
able to attain the object of his search and return within the week.

"If that is the case," said the Captain, "we will gladly assist you."
"Comrades!" he cried, addressing his band, "after stowing this
useless booty in the disused cave, and taking some rest and
refreshment, we will set out again, and the object of our expedition
shall be to obtain something for the Queen's museum which will
interest every one."

Shortly after midnight the robbers set out, accompanied by the
Stranger and the Pupil. When they had walked about an hour, the
Captain, as was his custom, brought them to a halt that he might tell
them where they were going. "I have concluded," said he, "that no
place is so likely to contain what we are looking for as the castle
of the great magician, Alfrarmedj. We will, therefore, proceed