That the Bad Dreams did know was to be seen by their foolish scared expressions.  The Indian Chief, with a disappointed grunt, replaced his tomahawk in his belt, and seated himself cross-legged on the grass, drawing his blanket closely about him.  The Policeman stopped murmuring “Move on!” The Cow dropped clumsily on all fours and began to crop the bushes.  Even the Little Dentist put his pincers back into his pocket, though he still looked wistfully at Ann, who avoided his eye as much as she could.  This was a very terrifying company in which the children found themselves, and in spite of the comforting presence of the friendly Knight-mare, they felt very doubtful of their present safety, not to speak of what might be done to them when once they were in the clutches of that dreadful “Boss”, whom even the Bad Dreams seemed to be afraid of.

“He has all the fun, anyway,” snorted the Cow, switching her tail.  “All the choice bits of torturing.  Why, I’ve not had so much as a single toss since I’ve been on this job; no I haven’t!” And she shook her sharp curved horns at Ann.

“Not a tooth out yet!” complained the Dentist, “not a single one.”  He sighed, glancing from Ann to Rudolf and from Rudolf back again to Ann, as if he expected they might be coaxed into presenting him with a full set each.

“’Tis himsilf does all the arristin’,” muttered the Policeman sadly.

“Big-boss-chief take all good scalp,” Thunder-snorer, the Indian, grunted.

The children began to think this “Boss” must indeed be a terror.

“Now, come, come,” continued the Knight-mare soothingly, “it’s not so bad as that.  You all get plenty of fun, but you mustn’t mix it up with business.  We’re in a row now, every one of us, for being out of bounds.  Better move along and have it over, that’s my advice.”

The Policeman looked more cheerful.  “That’s it,” cried he.  “Move on!”

Ann put her little arms around the Knight-mare’s neck and whispered something in his ear.  He turned to the Cow and said: 

“Madam, this young lady wishes to know if anything has been seen or heard of another prisoner, a small fat one called Peter?”

“Sir,” said the Cow, “he was taken just a little while ago.  That’s why we four went off in a huff.  We wanted a little fun with him, just a bit of our pretty play, you know, but the Boss wouldn’t have it.  He’s saving him up for the Banquet, and not one of us is to be let at him till after that.”

Rudolf and Ann looked at each other, both suddenly remembering the Sandman’s warning that on no account were any of them to taste the Bad Dreams’ food.  Could Peter be expected to refuse any kind of refreshments at any time?  They knew that he could not.

“Come,” cried Rudolf, pulling at the Knight-mare’s arm.  “Take us to him, please.  We’ve got to hurry.”