Wouldn't it, sir?" said Gluck very mildly and submissively indeed.

"No," said the dwarf, conclusively, "no, it wouldn't." And with that
the dwarf pulled his cap hard over his brows and took two turns, of
three feet long, up and down the room, lifting his legs up very high
and setting them down very hard. This pause gave time for Gluck to
collect his thoughts a little, and, seeing no great reason to view his
diminutive visitor with dread, and feeling his curiosity overcome his
amazement, he ventured on a question of peculiar delicacy.

"Pray, sir," said Gluck, rather hesitatingly, "were you my mug?"

On which the little man turned sharp round, walked straight up to
Gluck, and drew himself up to his full height. "I," said the little
man, "am the King of the Golden River." Whereupon he turned about
again and took two more turns, some six feet long, in order to allow
time for the consternation which this announcement produced in his
auditor to evaporate. After which he again walked up to Gluck and
stood still, as if expecting some comment on his communication.

Gluck determined to say something at all events. "I hope your Majesty
is very well," said Gluck.

"Listen!" said the little man, deigning no reply to this polite
inquiry. "I am the king of what you mortals call the Golden River.
The shape you saw me in was owing to the malice of a stronger king,
from whose enchantments you have this instant freed me. What I have
seen of you and your conduct to your wicked brothers renders me willing
to serve you; therefore, attend to what I tell you. Whoever shall
climb to the top of that mountain from which you see the Golden River
issue, and shall cast into the stream at its source three drops of holy
water, for him and for him only the river shall turn to gold. But no
one failing in his first can succeed in a second attempt, and if anyone
shall cast unholy water into the river, it will overwhelm him and he
will become a black stone." So saying, the King of the Golden River
turned away and deliberately walked into the center of the hottest
flame of the furnace. His figure became red, white, transparent,
dazzling,--a blaze of intense light,--rose, trembled, and disappeared.
The King of the Golden River had evaporated.

"Oh!" cried poor Gluck, running to look up the chimney after him, "O
dear, dear, dear me! My mug! my mug! my mug!"

CHAPTER III

HOW MR. HANS SET OFF ON AN EXPEDITION TO THE GOLDEN RIVER, AN