56 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. [.

the sight of this man Pincher trembled violently, and
crouched behind the sisters. The new comer was
clad in a bottle-green coat with brass buttons, white
waistcoat and kerseymere trowsers, and he wore upon
his head a glazed sailor’s hat, gaily ornamented with
buttercups, daisies, and dandelions stuck all around it.

‘ How are you, Macklethorpe ?’ shouted the Giant
in a loud voice, as the little man drove up.

‘So-so, thank you, Royal Pattle-perry,’ replied
the other. ‘But I have come to tell you to be on
your guard. That nasty little Rindelgrover is out on
mischief somewhere. I know it from a pig which I
met and killed as I was driving on the edge of the
forest, and-who confessed it in the hopes of my spar-
ing his life, which I didn’t, knowing your fondness for
pork, and wishing to make you a present. The little
scamp is, I have good reason to believe, within your
kingdom at this moment—perhaps within your
very presence. To prevent mischief, therefore, I have
brought my magic onion, with which, when one
touches one’s‘eyes one can penetrate every disguise,
however cleverly assumed; so in a moment or two
we shall know whether I have been rightly in-
formed.’

So saying, the wily Dwarf put his hand into his
trowsers’ pocket, pulled out an onion, and gently
touched his eyes with it; then he looked right and
left, and presently his eyes fell upon the two Prin-
cesses.

‘Daisies and dandelions!’ he cried, ‘why here are
the two daughters of the King of the Flowery Meads!
who'd have thought of seeing hem here of all people!’