"Show us either of them and we'll prove our quality," Malay Kris boasted. "I have once before run Grater through and pinned him to the floor." The King pulled at his beard. "It is true that I have heard he now wears a piece of pink court-plaster." "Give me arms and put me into your service," said Malay Kris, "and I will prove my mettle." "You are indeed a likely looking soldier," said the King, regarding him with favor. "I'm inclined to try you. Give him," said he to the Captain of the Guard, "armor and a sword, and we'll see what he can do. As for these others, we'll put them in cages for the present and decide later what to do with them." At these words Owl flew into the top of a tree and hooted. "I do not like cages," said he. "I prefer a tree top." And though the King tried soft words and made promises, the Owl refused to budge, looking down upon them all with great round eyes. Coal and Ember growled and showed their teeth, and Alligator opened wide his great jaws and lashed about with his tail; but the little soldiers threw themselves valiantly upon them and bore them away as the King ordered. "You two," said the King to Andy and Hortense, "have proved yourselves brave and are deserving of reward. We attach you to our person. You may stand guard in the palace." The Queen, who had been looking hard at Hortense, spoke. "May I not have them?" said she. "Certainly, my love," the King replied graciously. "All that is mine is yours. Besides, you may need stout protection from our enemy. Already it has taken from us our Court Jester and Court Poet." The King walked nervously up and down. "Our magic power is of no avail," said he, "against such evil." Andy and Hortense, in obedience to the Queen's wish, took their place at the door of her apartment, and soon she called them to her. "I see," said she to Hortense, "that you are the little girl who was here before, and this, I suppose, is the little boy. Now tell me all about it." Hortense was much surprised but did as she was told, for she felt the Queen to be her friend. "Alas," said the Queen, "Grater has already made prisoners of Highboy and Lowboy. I had persuaded the King to make them his Court Jester and Poet but before they could even be brought here, they were waylaid and borne away." "In that case," said Hortense, "we must go to their rescue. Will you grant us permission?" "Gladly," said the Queen, "although I cannot free the others without appealing to the King, and it is best for the present not to tell him who you are. I shall contrive to see Malay Kris and send him after you. Wait near by." Accordingly, Andy and Hortense slipped out of the palace unseen and waited where they were joined shortly by Malay Kris, who was so eager for a fight that Andy and Hortense had to beg him to be cautious. They quietly crept close to the Cat's house, and Owl, who had joined them, peeped in at the window. "All quiet," said he. The four entered.