speech and cries of "She is not worthy, let
her be deposed," were heard. "She is really too young, she is but a baby
still," said one kindly looking old grandpapa Kobold.

King Reinhold raised his hand to command silence, and continued in a
loud, harsh voice: "When she is older, she will become too big for us;
mortals have the strange habit of growing. No, I have thought the matter
over. Young birds are after all safest in the nest. But this baby would
never be able to find the way home, not even down her own street. So I
have chosen this brave young man to take her home." Here he gave Hugo a
slap on the back that nearly knocked him down, for dwarfs are very
strong in spite of their smallness, you know.

Elsa's face began to beam, and she would have danced for joy; but the
King's uncomplimentary remarks hurt her a little. _She_ was quite sure
that she could find her way home, a big girl of four years ought
certainly to know her own house. She knew exactly where it stood. Near
the rushing silver brook, a low, red-roofed house, and a barn with black
beams, also cocks and hens and geese strutting about in the little yard.
It was quite near the water-mill; she could hear the rushing of the
water as she lay in her little bed under her big feather sack, with only
her little nose and ears peeping out. A fir-tree with a very tall stem
and a thick bushy head stood at the back of the house.

Yes, she was sure that she could find it.

Meanwhile some of the dwarfs were marshalled off to get the carriage
ready for the children. Then Hugo summoned up courage to address the
King.

"O King!" he said, "I have heard of the wonders of your kingdom and of
the marvellous skill of you workmen"--here he stammered a little and his
oratory gave way--"I should so much like to see something of it," he
said shyly.

"Certainly, certainly, with the greatest pleasure," said King Reinhold,
and looked much gratified. "Intelligent child," he muttered. "Ho,
Dickkopf, bring me a torch, and lead the way to the workshop," he said.

Off he marched with majestic tread, and Hugo followed with Elsa, her
little warm hand clasped tight in his own; through dark passages and
caves lit by a pale light; through store-rooms where masses of minerals
were piled up gleaming in wonderful colours; through the treasure-houses
containing gold and silver and precious stones in huge quantities.

The children's eyes grew round in their heads as they saw all this
wealt