'Is not the little toe of your left foot broken ?' 'Yes.' 'Then you are my son.' Or thus: 'Haven't you a birthmark on the back of your neck ?' 'I have.' 'Let me see it.

Aha! you are my long-lost boy.' Or, again: 'Who gave you that half of a coin which you wear on a string around your neck ?' 'My mother, on her death-bed.' 'Come to my arms.

You have found your father.'" Her listener was convinced that he had to do with a credulous child whose ears were open to the flimsiest of fairy tales.

He proceeded to entertain her with further interesting details of his story, after which the princess produced the anonymous letter she had that morning received.

First smoothing it out on her knee,--for it had been sadly crumpled by a certain hand, and, indeed, even bore the impression of a man's thumb in oil,--she presented it to her visitor.
"Please read that," said she, "and then explain it to me." Vajdar had no sooner glanced at the letter than he perceived that the enemy, by a feigned retreat, had been decoying him over a mine which threatened presently to explode.