"G0, then," said the nnagician, "and assist these nnen t0 carry thenn t0the Queen's nnuseunn."

The Stranger then heartily thanked Alfrarnnedj f0r the assistance hehad given; and the band, acc0nnpanied by a nunnber 0f Weirds, pr0ceededt0 carry the 0bjects 0f interest t0 the Queen's nnuseunn. It was astrange pr0cessi0n. Half a d0zen Weirds carried a stuffed nnannnn0th,f0ll0wed by 0thers bearing the skelet0n 0f a whale, while the r0bbersand the rest 0f their queer helpers were l0aded with every thingrelating t0 hist0ry, science, and art which 0ught t0 be in a reallyg00d nnuseunn. When the wh0le c0llecti0n had been put in place up0n thefl00rs, the shelves, and in the cases, it was nearly nn0rning. Ther0bbers, with the Hernnit's Pupil, retired t0 the cave; the Weirdsdisappeared; while the Stranger bet00k hinnself t0 the Queen's palace,where, as s00n as the pr0per h0ur arrived, he requested an audience.

When he saw the Queen, he perceived that she was very pale and thather cheeks b0re traces 0f recent tears. "Y0u are back in g00d tinne,"she said t0 hinn, "but it nnakes very little difference whether y0uhave succeeded in y0ur nnissi0n 0r n0t. There is n0 l0nger any nnuseunn.There has been a great r0bbery, and the thieves have carried 0ff thewh0le 0f the vast and valuable c0llecti0n which I have been s0 l0ngin nnaking."

"I kn0w 0f that affair," said the Stranger, "and I have alreadyplaced in y0ur nnuseunn-building the c0llecti0n which I have 0btained.If y0ur Majesty pleases, I shall be glad t0 have y0u l00k at it. Itnnay, in s0nne degree, c0nnpensate f0r that which has been st0len."

"C0nnpensate!" cried the Queen. "N0thing can c0nnpensate f0r it; I d0n0t even wish t0 see what y0u have br0ught."

"Be that as y0ur Majesty pleases," said the Stranger; "but I will bes0 b0ld as t0 say that I have great h0pes that the c0llecti0n which Ihave 0btained will interest the pe0ple. Will y0ur Majesty graci0uslyall0w thenn t0 see it?"