At last with half his force missing, the revengeful leader angrily called a halt and made rude camp for the day. In this he missed his opportunity, for Curlie, after a brief pause to allow his donkeys to browse on the tree leaves and wiry grass, pressed tirelessly on through the long hot day. Only as evening fell did he tether his beasts and lie him down to close his weary eyes in sleep.
* * * * * * * *
Meanwhile Doris and Dot were not without their exciting hours.
“Look! There! There he is!” It was Doris who spoke. She danced up and down in wild excitement.
“Where? Where?” Dot asked in great bewilderment. Night had passed. Morning had dawned with vivid clearness over the ruins of the ancient castle. Breakfast was over and the girls for three hours past had been exploring the ruins. On tiptoes they had ascended the massive moss-grown stairs that in the distant past had led to stately halls. They had come upon great heaps of stone and brick mantled by clinging bush and creeping vine.
“It is as if nature would hide it all.” Doris had said, a touch of sadness in her tone.
“Yes,” said Dot. “And why not? The man who built the castle turned tyrant. He sold his splendid birthright for power and gold. Had he proven a kind and just ruler his castle might have been standing to this day.”
They were wandering still among the ruins when the great moment had arrived. Doris did not answer her companion’s excited questions. She only pointed at the top of a jagged pile of rock and Dot saw for herself.
“The monkey!” exclaimed Dot.
“The jeweled monkey,” Doris answered.