ound her. "Even in this room there's enough to make a
hundred golden swords."

"But we can't melt or forge gold under water, mate," the Cap'n said.

"Why not? Don't you s'pose all these gold roses and things were made
under water?" asked the little girl.

"Like enough," remarked the sailor, "but I don't see how."

Just then the gong at the door sounded, and the boy Sacho came in
smiling and cheerful as ever. He said Zog had sent him to inquire
after their health and happiness. "You may tell him that his water
became a trifle too warm, so we cooled it," replied the Queen. Then
they told Sacho how the boiling water had made them uncomfortable
while they slept.

Sacho whistled a little tune and seemed thoughtful. "Zog is
foolish," said he. "How often have I told him that vengeance is a
waste of time. He is worried to know how to destroy you, and that is
wasting more time. You are worried for fear he will injure you, and
so you also are wasting time. My, my! What a waste of time is going
on in this castle!"

"Seems to me that we have so much time it doesn't matter," said
Trot. "What's time for, anyhow?"

"Time is given us to be happy, and for no other reason," replied the
boy soberly. "When we waste time, we waste happiness. But there is
no time for preaching, so I'll go."

"Please wait a moment, Sacho," said the Queen.

"Can I do anything to make you happy?" he asked, smiling again.

"Yes," answered Aquareine. "We are curious to know who does all this
beautiful gold work and ornamentation."

"Some of the slaves here are goldsmiths, having been taught by Zog
to forge and work metal under water," explained Sacho. "In parts of
the ocean lie many rocks filled with veins of pure gold and golden
nuggets, and we get large supplies from sunken ships as well. There
is no lack of gold here, but it is not as precious as it is upon the
earth because here we have no need of money."

"We would like to see the goldsmiths at work," announced the Queen.

The boy hesitated a moment. Then he said, "I will take you to their
room, where you may watch them for a time. I will not ask Zog's
permission to do this, for he might refuse. But my orders were to
allow you the liberty of the castle, and so I will let you see the
goldsmiths' shop."

"Thank you," replied Aquareine quietly, and then the four followed
Sacho along various corridors until they came to a large room where
a dozen men were busily at work. Lying here and there we