"Denmark doesn't have any enemies now, does it?" asked Anna.
"No, Denmark is one of the most peaceful countries in the world. It is almost eighty years since we have been at war with any other nation."
After a while they went down to the library. Mr. Christianson led the girls past rows and rows of books, placed on shelves that reached from the floor to the ceiling. When they came to the farthest corner of the room he stopped and reached for the book of Andersen's Fairy Tales without even looking.
"You see, I know just where it is." Then a worried look came on his face. "Why, I can't understand this," he said. "This book was here last night, for I showed it to some friends. And now it is gone."
"Maybe someone has borrowed it," suggested Greta.
"That is impossible, for I keep the library locked, and none of the servants has the key."
"Maybe you put it back in the wrong place," suggested Anna.
"I'm afraid that is impossible, too. You see I keep this book in a very special place because I prize it more than any other book that I own. I am always careful to put it back in this same spot."
"We'll help you look for it," offered Greta. So the three began searching one shelf of books after another.