"'My companion has long hair and a strong arm,' said the brother. 'He is cross-eyed and knock-kneed. It wouldn't do for you to meet him in the hallway. Go to bed early and lock your door, and if you hear any outcry during the night cover your head with a pillow and go to sleep again.' "Then the housemaid and her brother went away. "'Well,' said Tip-Top, 'this is no place for me.' "He waited a while, and then went out of the cellar into the yard with his saddle on his head. The cook, seeing him there, told him to carry the saddle to the stable where the horses were kept. Tip-Top went to the stable, placed his saddle in an empty stall, and sat on it. "After a while he heard two persons come in from the street. They went into a stall near by and began to talk. One was the coachman and the other was his nephew, who had just returned from a long journey. "'The Mayor has fine horses,' said the nephew. 'I must have two of them to-night, otherwise I am ruined forever.' "The coachman refused to listen at first, but after a while he consented. He told his nephew that the stable-boy slept in the manger. "'I have a companion in my travels,' said his nephew, 'and to-night we shall come and take the horses away. My companion has short hair and a heavy hand. Close your eyes and cover your head with straw if you hear any outcry.' "After a while the coachman and his nephew went out into the street again, and then Tip-Top came forth from the stable with the saddle on his head. The Mayor had just come in, and was standing at his window. He saw the man in the yard with the saddle on his head, and sent a servant to call him. "'What is your name?' asked the Mayor. "'Tip-Top, your honor.' "'I didn't ask after your health; I asked for your name,' said the Mayor. "'It is Tip-Top, your honor.' "'Your name or your health?' "'Both, your honor.' "'What are you doing here?' "'His honor, the Mayor, sent for me, your honor.' "'What were you doing just now?' "'Waiting to be sent for, your honor.' "'Where is your horse?' asked the Mayor. [Illustration: TIP-TOP AND THE MAYOR] "'I have no horse, your honor.' "'Why do you carry your saddle?' "'Because no one will carry it for me, your honor.' "'Why do you not sell it and be rid of it, ninny?' "'Few are rich enough to buy it, your honor.' "'How much money is it worth?' "'Two thousand pieces of gold, your honor.' "'Are you crazy?' cried the Mayor. 'Why is it so valuable?' "'It is a Talking-Saddle, your honor.' "'What does it say?' "'Everything, your honor. It warns, it predicts, and it gives advice.' "'Let it talk for me,' said the Mayor, full of curiosity. "'Your honor would fail to understand its language,' replied Tip-Top. "'Let it talk and do you tell me what it says.' "Tip-Top placed his saddle on the carpet and pressed his foot against it until the leather made a creaking noise. "'I am waiting,' said the Mayor. 'What does the saddle say?'