"'It says, your honor, that you must call the housemaid.' "The Mayor, to humor the joke, did so. The housemaid came, grumbling. She looked at the saddle, at Tip-Top, and then at the Mayor. "'Now what does the saddle say?' asked the Mayor. "'It says, your honor, that this woman has a brother, who has just returned from a journey in strange lands. The saddle says, your honor, that this woman's brother has a companion who has long hair and a strong arm.' "'Is that all?' asked the Mayor. "'No, your honor, it is not half.' "'It is very strange,' said the housemaid. "'The saddle says, your honor, that if you will sit in the closet by the chimney, in the first room to the right, where there is an iron box that is very heavy, you will receive a visit to-night from this woman's brother and his companion.' "The Mayor was very much astonished, but before he could open his lips the woman fell on her knees and confessed all. The Mayor called an officer and sent her away. Then he turned to Tip-Top, and asked:-- "'Is that all?' "'By no means, your honor. The saddle says send for the coachman.' "The Mayor did so, and the coachman came, bowing and smiling. "'How much is the saddle worth?' the Mayor asked him. "'Master, it is worthless,' replied the coachman, with a sneer. "'Let us see,' said the Mayor. Then, turning to Tip-Top: 'What does the saddle say?' "'It says, your honor, that this coachman here has a nephew, who has just returned from a long journey. It says that the nephew has a companion who has short hair and a heavy hand.' "'What more?' "'The saddle says, your honor, that if you will sleep in the manger where your two finest horses feed, you will receive a visit from the coachman's nephew and his traveling companion.' "The coachman implored his master's mercy, and told all. Of course, the Mayor was very much astonished. He turned his unfaithful servants over to an officer, and that night had a watch set around his house and stable, and caught the thieves and their companions." "But the saddle didn't talk," said Sweetest Susan. "So the man didn't tell what was true." She made this remark with so much dignity that Mrs. Meadows laughed. But Buster John was quite impatient. "This isn't a girl's story," he exclaimed. "Oh, yes," replied Mrs. Meadows. "It is for girls as well as boys. Sometimes people tell stories just to pass the time away, and if the stories have little fibs in 'em, that don't do anybody any harm, they just keep them in there. If they didn't, the story wouldn't be true." "Is that the end of the story of the Talking-Saddle?" asked Buster John. "No! Oh, no!" Mr. Thimblefinger answered. "I was just going to tell you the rest." But before he could go on with it, the noise of laughter was heard at the door, and then there came running in a queer-looking girl and a very queer-looking boy. VI. THE TALKING-SADDLE AND THE THIEF.