PRINCE RICARDO. 207

 

CHAPTER Ix.
Rrigio Has an Idea.

WEARY and way-worn
little bird was Prince
, Ricardo when he flut-

| tered into the royal study
window, in the palace of
\ Pantouflia. The king
was out at a council
meeting; knowing that
Ricardo had the right things,
all in good order, he was not
in the least anxious about

  
  
  
  

the great grey cat, sitting on a
big book on the top of the library steps.
Now Semiramis was very fond of birds, and
no sooner did Ricardo enter and flutter
on to a table than Semiramis gathered her-
self together and made one fell spring at him.
She just caught his tail feather. In all
his adventures the prince had never been in
greater danger. He escaped, but no more, and
went flying round the ceiling, looking for a safe