“I wonder where they are going to take us to,” said Hugh in a low voice.  Somehow the soft light; the strange loneliness of the great plain, where, now that they were accustomed to it, the rushing of the numberless water-springs seemed to be but one single, steady sound; the solemn behaviour of their curious guides, altogether, had subdued the children’s spirits.  Jeanne said no more about “having fun,” yet she did not seem the least frightened or depressed; she was only quiet and serious.

“Where do you think they are going to take us to?” repeated Hugh.

“I don’t know—­at least I’m not sure,” said Jeanne; “but, Cheri, isn’t it a good thing that Houpet and the others are with us to show us the way, for though the ground looks so pretty it is quite boggy here and there.  I notice that Houpet never goes quite close to the fountains, and just when I went the least bit near one a minute ago my feet began to slip down.”

“I haven’t felt it like that at all,” said Hugh.  “Perhaps it’s because of my wall-climbers.  Dudu gave me a pair of wall-climbers like the flies’, you know, Jeanne.”

“Did he?” said Jeanne, not at all surprised, and as if wall-climbers were no more uncommon than goloshes.  “He didn’t give me any, but then I came a different way from you.  I think every one comes a different way to this country, do you know, Cheri?”

“And very likely Dudu thought I could carry you if there was anywhere you couldn’t climb,” said Hugh, importantly.  “I’m sure I——­” he stopped abruptly, for a sudden crow from Houpet had brought all the party to a standstill.  At first the children could not make out why their guide had stopped here—­there was nothing to be seen.  But pressing forward a few steps to where Houpet stood, Hugh saw, imbedded in the moss at his feet, a stone with a ring in it, just like those which one reads of in the Arabian Nights.  Houpet stood at the edge of the stone eyeing it gravely, and somehow he managed to make Hugh understand that he was to lift it.  Nothing loth, but rather doubtful as to whether he would be strong enough, the boy leant forward to reach the ring, first whispering, however, to Jeanne,

“It’s getting like a quite real fairy tale, isn’t it, Jeanne?”

Jeanne nodded, but looked rather anxious.

“I’m afraid you can’t lift it, Cheri,” she said.  “I think I’d better stand behind and pull you—­the ring isn’t big enough for us both to put our hands in it.”

Hugh made no objection to her proposal, so Jeanne put her arms round his waist, and when he gave a great pug to the ring she gave a great pug to him.  The first time it was no use, the stone did not move in the least.