saying--

"Purrier, if I mistake not, was present at the time, and, if so, he
will be able to support every word I have spoken."

"Call for the black cat," commanded the king.

"Purrier, to the front," cried Primeval.

With a few fine springs the cat was in his place and on his hind legs
before the king. But his eyes were closed because of the glare of
light from the ruby and the diamond.

"Tell king Muffler all you know about Stupidify's treatment of
Crafticus."

Purrier did so and added--

"I was so sorry and indignant after the selfish goose sat down in the
poor fox's warm place that I called out to him--'Demand your rights,
the king is on your side.'"

Then Purrier finished by saying--

"Pardon me, O king, if I venture to say that such senseless, irritating
conduct as the goose exhibited all that night might almost try your own
great patience."

"It would indeed," said Muffler, "it was absurd and provoking in the
highest degree, and if there be nothing to set aside your testimony,
Crafticus shall go free." And when Purrier bowed and sprang away, the
king smiled approvingly and called after him--"You are a sympathetic,
clever little fellow, and I like your glossy, black coat."

"Next witness," said Muffler.

"Niblius, come forward," cried the counsellor.

But although everyone looked, no one could see Niblius, and they
wondered if he had dared not to be present. At last a little mouse
with a white face and white feet was seen running up the hairy body of
Primeval and out along his extended arm, and then sitting bolt upright
on his broad palm. Then it bowed with a pretty jerk to king Muffler,
and he nodded back and smiled.

"I suppose you will be able to prove the black cat's words to be true?"
remarked Primeval.

"No, my king," replied the little fellow bravely, and he told
everything he overheard in the barn.

King Muffler opened his eyes in astonishment and enquired--

"Is Niblius truthful?"

"He was never known to tell a lie in all his life," answered Primeval.

"Then Purrier must be very treacherous," rejoined the king.

"He is," said the counsellor.

"It is no new thing," remarked the king, "for crafty creatures to get
the simple to begin a foolish quarrel."

[Illustration: KING MUFFLER. "It is no new thing," remarked the king,
"for crafty creatures to get the simple to begin a foolish quarrel."]

"True, O king, and the crafty gain their end by seeming to be in the
right."