he was the King across the river, she thought the Princess must be
there.

"It seems very likely," said the Baron after she had finished, "but if
she is there it is hopeless. Our King could never conquer the other
one, who has a much stronger army."

"Do you know," asked the Pop-corn man, "if they have ever had any
pop-corn on the other side of the river?"

"I don't think they have," replied the Baron.

"Then," said the Pop-corn man, "I think I can free the Princess."

"You!" cried the Baron scornfully.

But the Pop-corn man said nothing more. He bowed low to the Baron and
the Head-nurse, and left the tower.

"The idea of his talking as he did," said the Baron. But the nurse was
pinning her shawl, and she hurried out of the tower and overtook the
Pop-corn man.

"How are you going to manage it?" whispered she, touching his sleeve.

The Pop-corn man started. "Oh, it's you?" he said. "Well, you wait a
little, and you will see. Do you suppose you could find six little
boys who would be willing to go over the river with me to-morrow?"

"Would it be quite safe?"