The goat gave snort of contempt; Inga was silent; the King looked from one other inquiringly

"That's the idea, exactly ! " declared Rinkitink

" ," said Bilbil scornfully, "it tells us exactly how to move the blocks of marble "

"Oh, does it ? " responded the King, and then for moment he rubbed the top bald head in perplexed manner The next moment he burst into peal of joyous laughter The goat looked at Inga and sighed

"What did I tell you ? " asked the creature "Was I right, or was I wrong ? "

"This scroll," said Rinkitink, "is indeed masterpiece Its advice is of tremendous value 'Never step on another man's toes ' think this over The inference step upon our own toes, which were given us purpose Therefore, if I stepped upon another man's toes, the other man Hoo, hoo, hoo ! -- the other man -- hee, hee, heek- keek-eek ! Funny, isn't it ? "

"Didn't --" began Bilbil

"No matter what you said, my boy," roared the King "No fool figured that out as nicely as "

" still to decide how to remove the blocks of marble," suggested Inga anxiously

"Fasten rope , and pull," said Bilbil "Don't pay any more attention to Rinkitink, for no wiser man who wrote that brainless scroll Just get the rope, and we'll fasten Rinkitink to one end of it for weight and I'll pull "

" , Bilbil," replied the boy "I'll get the rope at once

Bilbil found it difficult to climb over the ruins floor banquet hall, but few places goat cannot get to when it makes the attempt, so Bilbil succeeded at last, and even fat little Rinkitink finally joined them, though much out of breath

Inga fastened one end rope around block of marble and then made loop other end over Bilbil's head When all was ready the boy seized the rope and helped the goat to pull; yet, strain as , the huge block stir from its place Seeing this, King Rinkitink came forward and lent his assistance, the weight body forcing the heavy marble to slide several feet from where it had lain

But hard work and all were obliged long rest before undertaking the removal next block

"Admit, Bilbil," said the King, "that of some use "

"Your weight was of considerable help," acknowledged the goat, "but if your head were filled stomach the task still easier "

When Inga went to fasten the rope second time rejoiced to discover that by moving one more block of marble uncover the tile secret spring So the three pulled with renewed energy and joy the block moved and rolled upon its side, leaving Inga free to remove the treasure when he pleased

But the boy had no intention of allowing Bilbil King to share the secret royal treasures of Pingaree; so, although both the goat and its master demanded why the marble blocks moved, and how it would benefit them, Inga begged them to wait until the next morning, when he hoped to satisfy them that their hard work in vain

Having little confidence promise of mere boy, the goat grumbled King laughed; but Inga paid no heed ridicule and set himself to work rigging up fishing rod, with line and hook During the afternoon he waded out to some rocks near the shore and fished patiently until he had captured enough yellow perch for their supper and breakfast

"Ah," said Rinkitink, looking fine catch when Inga returned shore; "these will taste delicious are cooked; but how to cook them ? "

"No," reply often caught fish, but never cooked them Perhaps Your Majesty understands cooking "

"Cooking and majesty are two different things," laughed the little King " cook fish to save me from starvation "

" part," said Bilbil, "I never eat fish, but tell you how to cook them, for often watched the palace cooks at their work " And so, goat's assistance, the boy King managed the fish and cook them, after which they were eaten with good appetite

That night, after Rinkitink and Bilbil were both fast asleep, Inga stole quietly moonlight desolate banquet hall There, kneeling down, he touched the secret spring as his father had instructed him and joy the tile sank downward and disclosed the opening imagine how the boy's heart throbbed with excitement as he slowly thrust his hand cavity and felt around precious pearls were still there In moment his fingers touched the silken bag and, without pausing to close the recess, he pressed the treasure against his breast and ran out moonlight to examine it When he reached bright place he started to open the bag, but he observed Bilbil lying asleep grass near by So, trembling fear of discovery, he ran to another place, and when he paused he heard Rinkitink snoring lustily Again he fled and made his way seashore, where he squatted under bank and began to untie the cords that fastened the mouth bag But now another fear assailed him

" pearls should slip from my hand," he thought, "and roll water, lost forever find some safer place "

Here and there he wandered, still clasping the silken bag in both hands, and finally he went grove and climbed tall tree where he had made his platform and seat But here pitch dark, so wait patiently until morning before he dared touch the pearls During those hours of waiting he had time for reflection and reproached himself for being so frightened possession father's treasures

"These pearls have belonged to our family for generations," he mused, "yet no one has ever lost them If I use ordinary care have no fears for their safety "

dawn came and he plainly, Inga opened the bag and took out the Blue Pearl no possibility being observed by others, so time to examine it wonderingly, saying to himself: " strength "

Taking off his right shoe he placed the Blue Pearl within it, far up pointed toe Then he tore piece handkerchief and stuffed it shoe to hold the pearl in place Inga's shoes were long and pointed, as were all the shoes worn in Pingaree, points curled upward, quite vacant space beyond the place where the boy's toes reached shoe was upon his foot

After he had put Shoe and laced it up he opened the bag and took out the Pink Pearl " protect me from danger," said Inga, and removing the shoe left foot he carefully placed the pearl hollow toe This, also, he secured in place of strip torn handkerchief

Having put second shoe and laced it up, the boy drew silken bag the third pearl -- that pure white -- and holding it ear he asked

" advise me what , my hour of misfortune ? "

Clearly the small voice pearl made answer:

"I advise you Islands of Regos and Coregos, where liberate your parents from slavery "

"How could I ? " exclaimed Prince Inga, amazed at receiving such advice

"To-night," spoke the voice pearl, " storm, and morning boat will strand shore Take this boat and row to Regos and Coregos "

"How can I, weak boy, pull the boat ? " he inquired, doubting the possibility

"The Blue Pearl will strength," reply

"But shipwrecked and drowned, before ever I reach Regos and Coregos," protested the boy

"The Pink Pearl will protect you from harm," murmured the voice, soft and low but very distinct

"Then act advise me," declared Inga, speaking firmly because this promise gave him courage, and as he removed the pearl ear it whispered:

"The wise and fearless to win success "

Restoring the White Pearl depths silken bag, Inga fastened it securely around his neck and buttoned his waist above it to hide the treasure from all prying eyes Then he slowly climbed down tree and returned room where King Rinkitink still slept

The goat was browsing grass but looked cross and surly boy said good morning as he passed, Bilbil made no response whatever As Inga entered the room the King awoke and asked:

"What mysterious secret of yours ? I've been dreaming , and I haven't got my breath yet from tugging at those heavy blocks Tell me the secret "

"A secret told is no longer secret," replied Inga, with laugh "Besides, family secret, which proper keep to myself But tell you , : going to leave this island to-morrow morning "

The King seemed puzzled' statement

"I'm not much of swimmer," said he, "and, though I'm fat enough to float surface water, I'd only bob around and get nowhere at all "

" swim, but ride comfortably in boat," promised Inga

"There isn't boat island ! " declared Rinkitink, looking boy with wonder

"True," said Inga "But one will come morning " He spoke positively, for he had perfect faith promise White Pearl; but Rinkitink, knowing nothing three marvelous jewels, began to fear little Prince had lost his mind through grief and misfortune

reason the King question the boy further but tried to cheer him by telling him witty stories He laughed at all the stories himself, merry, rollicking way, and Inga joined freely laughter because his heart lightened prospect of rescuing his dear parents Not fierce warriors had descended upon Pingaree had the boy been so hopeful and happy

With Rinkitink riding upon Bilbil's back, the three made tour island and found central part some bushes and trees bearing ripe fruit They gathered this freely, for -- aside fish which Inga caught -- it only food they now had, less they had, the bigger Rinkitink's appetite seemed to grow