of frowning armed men, he doffed his cap and smiled his own peculiar
smile.

"Good-evening, friends," he said. "We have been long in reaching your
city. We are glad to be at the gates at last."

"Who are you?" asked the Captain gruffly, stepping forward and barring
the way, while his companions gazed in amazement at the wolf and the
bear who were huddled at John's side.

"I come on an errand to the King," said John. "Please guide me to him
quickly, for it is an urgent matter."

"To the King!" sneered the Captain; and the warders echoed his laugh.
"No one goes to the King in such company as you bring. You must know
that. They are outlaws, all,--and you too, I dare say!"

"I know not. But I must see the King, and that quickly," said John.
"I come with these friends to heal the King's son, if I can."

"Ha! More sorcery!" interrupted the Captain. "No, you shall not enter
here. The King allows no animals in his domain. How you have brought
them so far I cannot guess!"

"Well, I bear this," said John, drawing out the silver talisman.

The men bent forward to look at it, then fell back, staring at one
another with astonished faces.

"Who is he?" they whispered among themselves. "What shall we do?"