us. Give him to us again!"

The little Princess screamed and clung to the Hermit's arm; but he sat
motionless, watching. The people began to murmur and jostle the three
strangers. But the King raised his hand, and they listened to him.

"We will hear these men," he said. Then, turning to John, he added
smoothly, "And after that, sirrah, you shall answer for yourself."

The Hermit rose and took a step forward, still holding the little
Princess by the hand. Brutus broke away from the page who held him,
and crouched growling at John's side.

Then Tonio raised his voice, and cried louder, pointing at John with
his skinny hand. "He is our boy," he said. "We taught him his trade;
let him deny it. Now he is robbing us of our fair dues. He is a
runaway. Give him back to us!"

Still John stared at him, too dazed to answer. But the Hermit took
another step forward, and said sternly:--

"He is your boy, you say. How did you come by him?"

"We bought him for a gold piece," they said in chorus. "That was years
ago. For ten years he traveled with us. And then he ran away. His
life is ours; let him deny it if he can!"

John stood silent, horrified at the fate which seemed to confront him.
For in those days children who were bought and sold in this cruel way
were the slaves of the masters who had purchased them.