“What do you say it like that for?” asked the children.
“Well, you see, his Magnificence and Serene Importance is somewhat sensitive on the subject; there is the Grand Panjandrum, you know.”
“Oh, I see,” said Dick, “and the other chap doesn’t like to take a back seat, that’s it, is it? Well, who is the Little Panjandrum, anyhow?”
“Sh! sh!” cried the gnomes, looking about them nervously. “You really mustn’t say little as loudly as that. Supposing any one heard you?”
“Well, what if they did?” asked Dick.
“O! His Serene Importance would be terribly angry, and perhaps would——”
What the conclusion of the sentence was to have been the children never knew, for at that moment there was a loud clattering noise in the passage leading from the cave, and a moment afterwards four extraordinary figures came in sight.
They were mounted upon ostriches, and one of them, more richly caparisoned than the others, had a kind of canopy attached to his trappings, beneath which sat a stern-faced little man with an elaborate turban and head-dress. He wore also a very curious collar, from which depended a large gold ornament of curious design. He carried in one hand a long pipe, and with the other guided his strange steed.
