Nor shall I be able to liberate my dear father and mother." "Well," replied Rinkitink, leaning against an old barrel and looking quite solemn, "the thing is certainly unlucky, any way we look at it.

I suppose someone has passed along here and, seeing the shoe upon the dust-heap, has carried it away.

But no one could know the magic power the shoe contains and so will not use it against us.

I believe, Inga, we must now depend upon our wits to get us out of the scrape we are in." With saddened hearts they returned to the palace, and entering a small room where no one could observe them or overhear them, the boy took the White Pearl from its silken bag and held it to his ear, asking: "What shall I do now ?" "Tell no one of your loss," answered the Voice of the Pearl.

"If your enemies do not know that you are powerless, they will fear you as much as ever.