"I couldn't catch him!" he said. "I wiss I'd started a little sooner. His pockets was full of apples!"
The Dog-King looked up at Sylvie, and said something in Doggee.
"Why, of course you can!" Sylvie exclaimed. "How stupid not to think of it! Nero'll hold him for us, Bruno! But I'd better make him invisible, first." And she hastily got out the Magic Jewel, and began waving it over Nero's head, and down along his back.
"That'll do!" cried Bruno, impatiently. "After him, good Doggie!"
"Oh, Bruno!" Sylvie exclaimed reproachfully. "You shouldn't have sent him off so quick! I hadn't done the tail!"
Meanwhile Nero was coursing like a greyhound down the field: so at least I concluded from all I could see of himthe long feathery tail, which floated like a meteor through the airand in a very few seconds he had come up with the little thief.
"He's got him safe, by one foot!" cried Sylvie, who was eagerly watching the chase. "Now there's no hurry, Bruno!"
