,' said the thief. 'It is a trick--a trap.'

"But when he had carried off the horse and hid it at the house of an
acquaintance, the thought of the man with the saddle worried him so
that he went back to satisfy himself. Tip-Top and his saddle were
there, and Tip-Top had slept so soundly that his head had rolled from
his pillow. The thief thought it would be a good stroke of business to
take the saddle along, but when he tried to lift it, Tip-Top awoke and
seized him, and cried 'Murder!' at the top of his voice.

"The Mayor and his brother rushed from their place of concealment,
and soon the thief was bound.

"'Where is the horse?' cried the Mayor.

"'What horse?' exclaimed the thief. 'Do you think I carry horses in my
pocket?'

"'What were you doing here, then?'

"'This fellow's head had slipped from its pillow, and when I tried to
put it back he seized me and yelled that I was murdering him! I saw no
horse under the saddle.'

"'Wait here a little,' said Tip-Top. 'Hold this thief till I return.'

"He went to the stable, woke the thief's accomplice, who by this time
was really asleep, and told him his companion had been captured. 'If I
can find the horse and hide it our friend will be safe, for nothing
can be proved on him.'

"The man was so frightened that he told Tip-Top where he had arranged
to meet the thief the next day. Then Tip-Top returned to the Mayor and
his brother, who still held the thief, and took them to the house
where the horse had been stabled.

"When the horse had been found and restored to its owner the Mayor
said to Tip-Top that he would not only reward him handsomely but
grant any request he might make.

"'Then, your honor,' replied Tip-Top, 'give this man his liberty.'

"'Why?' asked the Mayor, much astonished.

"'Because, your honor, he is my brother.'

"The thief was as much astonished as the Mayor at this turn in his
affairs, but he had no difficulty in recognizing Tip-Top as his
younger brother.

"'He certainly is a man of talent,' said the Mayor, 'and it is a pity
that he should be executed.'

"Then the thief fell on his knees and begged the Mayor to pardon him,
promising him to live and die an honest man. And he kept his promise.
He engaged in business, and, aided by Tip-Top's advice and influence,
made a large fortune."

"What became of the Talking-Saddle?" asked Buster John.

"Well," replied Mr. Thimblefinger, "Tip-Top hung the saddle in his
front porch, as you have