great robbery, and the thieves have carried off the whole of the vast and valuable collection which I have been so long in making.'
'I know of that affair,' said the Stranger, 'and I have already placed in your museum-building the collection which I have obtained. If your Majesty pleases, I shall be glad to have you look at it. It may, in some degree, compensate for that which has been stolen.'
'Compensate!' cried the Queen. 'Nothing can compensate for it; I do not even wish to see what you have brought.'
'Be that as your Majesty pleases,' said the Stranger; 'but I will be so bold as to say that I have great hopes that the collection which I have obtained will interest the people. Will your Majesty graciously allow them to see it?'
'I have no objection to that,' said the
