e same time
and were curiously bright and penetrating. He could look over a hill or
around a corner and was called The Lookout. Said he: "I saw you coming
yesterday."

"Then," said King Gos, "perhaps King Kaliko is expecting us."

"It is true," replied another nome, who wore a gold collar around his
neck and carried a bunch of golden keys. "The mighty Nome King expects
you, and bids you follow me to his presence."

With this he led the way into the caverns and Gos and Cor followed,
dragging their weary prisoners with them, for poor King Kitticut and his
gentle Queen had been obliged to carry, all through the tedious journey,
the bags of gold and jewels which were to bribe the Nome King to accept
them as slaves.

Through several long passages the guide led them and at last they
entered a small cavern which was beautifully decorated and set with rare
jewels that flashed from every part of the wall, floor and ceiling. This
was a waiting-room for visitors, and there their guide left them while
he went to inform King Kaliko of their arrival.

Before long they were ushered into a great domed chamber, cut from the
solid rock and so magnificent that all of them--the King and Queen of
Pingaree and the King and Queen of Regos and Coregos--drew long breaths
of astonishment and opened their eyes as wide as they could.

In an ivory throne sat a little round man who had a pointed beard and
hair that rose to a tall curl on top of his head. He was dressed in
silken robes, richly embroidered, which had large buttons of cut rubies.
On his head was a diamond crown and in his hand he held a golden sceptre
with a big jeweled ball at one end of it. This was Kaliko, the King and
ruler of all the nomes. He nodded pleasantly enough to his visitors and
said in a cheery voice:

"Well, Your Majesties, what can I do for you?"

"It is my desire," answered King Gos, respectfully, "to place in your
care two prisoners, whom you now see before you. They must be carefully
guarded, to prevent them from escaping, for they have the cunning of
foxes and are not to be trusted. In return for the favor I am asking you
to grant, I have brought Your Majesty valuable presents of gold and
precious gems."

He then commanded Kitticut and Garee to lay before the Nome King the
bags of gold and jewels, and they obeyed, being helpless.

"Very good," said King Kaliko, nodding approval, for like all the nomes
he loved treasures of gold and jewels. "But who are