“That’s the last of him” said the children’s protector smiling, “but now tell me, you three, what do you think of the change in my appearance?”

For a moment the three children stared up at the tall figure, admiring yet puzzled, then Ann clapped her hands and shouted:  “Oh, I know now who you are—­you’re the Knight-mare!”

The tall figure swept off his helmet and made Ann such a low bow that his fair curling locks brushed the ground, fluttering like yellow plumes about his ruddy face.  “I’m all knight now,” cried he, “and none of me mare.  I’m a Good Dream now, and I’ve no doubt she’ll be rather pleased to get me back—­the lady I belong to in the castle, you know.  I’m wearing her glove, as you may perceive.”

“But how did it happen?” asked Ann, fingering the helmet with the greatest admiration.

“Well,” said the Knight, “as soon as you children were imprisoned in the hollow tree I managed to escape from those fellows and rushed off to Sandy to get you help.  I found he had already sent to the Corn-cob Queen for rescuers and just as we were talking they arrived.  I agreed to guide their leader through the woods to Manunderthebed’s place if he would first settle a certain little matter for me—­that one your brother wasn’t very anxious to tackle, you know.  Well, when I asked him if he’d cut off my head, he said he’d just as lief as not!”

All three children burst out laughing.

“There’s only one person we’ve met as fierce as that,” said Ann, “and that’s Captain Jinks.”

“Captain Jinks—­at your service,” snapped a sharp voice at her elbow, and turning, Ann found the little tin captain standing beside her.  “I have to report,” said he, wheeling around to Rudolf and saluting him stiffly—­“the enemy—­routed completely!”

Never, never had the children expected to be so glad to meet the little captain again!  They thanked him heartily for his part in their splendid rescue, and asked him what he thought it was best to do next.

“Sound a recall,” answered the officer, “and return in good order according to commands.”

“Whose commands, Captain Jinks?” Rudolf wanted to know, but Jinks would not answer any more questions just then.  He recalled those of his fierce little soldiers who, with the sergeant at their head, were still chasing the last remnants of the Bad Dreams back to the depths of the wood, formed them into marching order, and taking the head of the procession himself, placed the children directly behind him under the protection of the Knight.  They were anxious to have the little captain explain all the particulars of their rescue, but found it very hard indeed to make him talk while on duty.  He marched so fast that they had to trot to keep up with him, and stared straight ahead without winking an eye.  “Queen’s orders,” was all they could at first get out of him.

“But, Jinks, dear, who was it brought the message to the Queen?” Ann coaxed.