“Yes, there are many,” said Tooku, nodding his shaggy head. “Sometimes they rob the poor people of the countryside, coming in the night, and taking their goats and their hens. Sometimes they rob the travellers on the far-off road.”
“Why aren’t they caught and punished?” demanded the little prince indignantly. “I won’t have robbers in my country!”
“No one knows where these robbers live,” said Yamen. “Aie-aie — they are a terrible band of men. It is my belief that they have a stronghold far up the mountains.”
“Perhaps they live in the Secret Forest!” said Jack.
“Oh, you and your Secret Forest!” said Nora. “Don’t keep asking about it, Jack. You’ve been told ever so many times there’s no way for people to get to it.”
“Are there any wild animals about the mountains?” asked Mike.
“There are wolves,” said Yamen. “We hear them howling in the cold wintertime, when they can find no food. Yes, they came even to this castle, for I saw them myself.”
“How frightening!” said Nora, shivering. “Well, I’m jolly glad I promised Ranni I wouldn’t go out without him or Pilescu! I don’t want to be captured by robbers or caught by wolves.”
“You don’t want to believe all their stories,” said Peggy, in a low voice.
Yamen heard her, and although she did not understand what the little girl said, she guessed.