“Good!” said the Captain, “it is but right that she should bear part of the labor of transportation.  There is a disused cave, a mile or so away, and we will tie up these bundles and carry them there; and then we shall leave the matter to you.  We take no further interest in it.  And if you have given your parole to the Queen to return in a week,” the Captain further continued, “of course you’ll have to keep it.  Did you give your parole also?” he asked, turning to the Pupil.

“Oh, no!” cried that youth; “there was no time fixed for my return.  And I am sure that I like a robber’s life much better than that of a hermit.  There is ever so much more spice and dash in it.”

“The Stranger was then told that if he would promise not to betray the robbers he might depart.  He gave the promise; but added sadly that he had lost so much time that he was afraid he would not now be able to attain the object of his search and return within the week.

“If that is the case,” said the Captain, “we will gladly assist you.”  “Comrades!” he cried, addressing his band, “after stowing this useless booty in the disused cave, and taking some rest and refreshment, we will set out again, and the object of our expedition shall be to obtain something for the Queen’s museum which will interest every one.”

Shortly after midnight the robbers set out, accompanied by the Stranger and the Pupil.  When they had walked about an hour, the Captain, as was his custom, brought them to a halt that he might tell them where they were going.  “I have concluded,” said he, “that no place is so likely to contain what we are looking for as the castle of the great magician, Alfrarmedj.  We will, therefore, proceed thither, and sack the castle.”

“Will there not be great danger in attacking the castle of a magician?” asked the Stranger in somewhat anxious tones.

“Of course there will be,” said the Captain, “but we are not such cowards as to hesitate on account of danger.  Forward, my men!” And on they all marched.

When they reached the magician’s castle, the order was given to scale the outer wall.  This the robbers did with great agility, and the Hermit’s Pupil was among the first to surmount it.  But the Stranger was not used to climbing, and he had to be assisted over the wall.  Inside the great court-yard they perceived numbers of Weirds—­strange shadowy creatures who gathered silently around them; but not in the least appalled, the robbers formed into a body, and marched into the castle, the door of which stood open.  They now entered a great hall, having at one end a doorway before which hung a curtain.  Following their Captain, the robbers approached this curtain, and pushing it aside, entered the room beyond.  There, behind a large table, sat the great magician, Alfrarmedj, busy over his mystic studies, which he generally pursued in the dead hours of the night.  Drawing their swords, the robbers rushed upon him.