"Get in, or I shall start," repeated the postilion.

"Give me your passports, or I will not let you go!" screamed "We can
demand them if we wish to do so."

"And why do you wish it now?" said the same voice.

"I wish it simply because I wish it," was the reply.

A stern face now appeared at the door, looking angrily at the
postmaster.

"Think what you say, sir, and be respectful."

"Silence!" interrupted the one who had first spoken. "Do not let us
make an unnecessary disturbance, mon ami. Why do you wish to see our
passports, sir?"

"Why?" asked Niclas, who was proud to play so distinguished a part
before his comrades--"you wish to know why I desire to see your
passports? Well, then, because you appear to me to be suspicious
characters."

A gay laugh was heard from the stage. "Why do you suspect us?"

"Because I never trust people travelling without baggage," was the
laconic reply.

"Bravo! well answered," cried the crowd, and even Madame Niclas was
surprised to see her husband show such daring courage.

"We need no baggage. We are travelling musicians, going to Amsterdam."

"Travelling musicians All the more reason for mistrusting you; no good
was ever heard of wandering musicians."

"You are becoming impertinent, sir," and Balby, the tallest and youngest
of the two friends, sprang from the stage, while the servant swung
himself from the box, where he was sitting with the postilion, and with
an enraged countenance placed himself beside his master.

"If you dare to speak another insulting word, you are lost," cried
Balby.

A hand was laid on his shoulder, and a voice murmured in his ear:

"Do not compromise us."

The king now also left the stage, and tried to subdue the anger of his
companion.

"Pardon, sir, the violence of my friend," said the king, with an
ironical smile, as he bowed to the postmaster. "We are not accustomed
to being questioned and suspected in this manner, and I can assure you
that, although we are travelling musicians, as it pleased you to say, we
are honest people, and have played before kings and queens."

"If you are honest, show me your passports; no honest man travels
without one!"

"It appears to me that no rascal should travel without one," said the
king. "I will obtain one immediately," said Balby, hastening to the
door.

The king held him back. "My brother, you are very innocent and
thoughtless. You forget entirely that we are suspected criminals. Should
we d