“His mine?” echoed His Majesty.
“Have you not heard of it?” asked the Demon Usher in great surprise. “Why, it is the most wonderful mine in all the world. Every jewel known to a lapidary is there.”
“Where is it?”
“Near by.”
“Lead us to it,” broke in Florimel eagerly.
“Come with me,” said the Demon Usher. “I will show you the secret passage-way through which Dragonfel and the rest entered.”
Florimel made an impatient start to be off, and the Brownies showed their willingness to follow him through all dangers, but King Stanislaus, more careful, raised his hand to call a halt.
“Stay!” he cautioned. “This may only be a ruse to trap us. How do we know this is the truth?”
“It is the truth,” averred the Demon Usher. “Follow me and I will soon prove it to you.”
He moved off with his queer half-skip and half-jump, cocking his eye behind at them as if he feared they would try to stop him. But no one made any attempt to do so, and he appeared very much relieved.