or I shall be forced to call a guard to arrest you."

Gilligren arose obediently and slung his sack over his shoulder. As
he did so the birds that were within began to flutter.

"What have you in the sack?" asked the servant.

"Blackbirds," replied Gilligren.

"Blackbirds!" echoed the servant, in surprise, "well, that is very
fortunate indeed. Come with me at once!"

He seized the boy by the arm and drew him hastily along until they
entered the great kitchen of the palace.

"Here, Mister Baker!" the man called, excitedly, "I have found your
blackbirds!"

A big, fat man who was standing in the middle of the kitchen with
folded arms and a look of despair upon his round, greasy face, at once
came toward them and asked eagerly, "The blackbirds? are you sure you
can get them?"

"They are here already; the boy has a bag full of them."

"Give them to me," said the cook, who wore a square cap, that was
shaped like a box, upon his head.

"What do you want with them?" asked Gilligren.