I was entranced. There was nothing I’d have liked better than to see his Cabinet of Wonders; but how could I, with Lucy and Charlotte to look after, up in their mountain hut with no food—and Count Karlstein raging up and down like a madman, looking for them? Doctor Cadaverezzi and Max were speaking together, quietly, and I took the poster in to Ma. She was as pleased as I was; she loved a show, which was why she never turned actors away in spite of their artistic habits. I made her promise to tell me all about it, and then hurried out.

But no sooner had I stepped through into the parlor than I hastily took a step backward again into the shadow; for there, talking earnestly to Max, was that cringing rascal Herr Snivelwurst.

“Excuse me, my man,” he said, smirking, “but have you by any chance seen two little girls in the recent past?”

“Two little girls?” said Max, looking puzzled. “How little?”

“Ten years and twelve years, respectively. Their names are Charlotte and Lucy, and they’ve been very naughty and run away from their loving home, and I’ve been ordered by their kind uncle to offer a reward for bringing ’em back again….”

I caught my breath when I heard this and I think I put my hand to my mouth; at any rate, Max saw me and looked past Snivelwurst’s shoulder. And seeing where he was looking, the secretary turned round as well.

“Ah!” he said, flapping his skinny fingers, trying to remember my name. “Er—um! Looking for the girls, are you?”

“Yes, Herr Snivelwurst,” I said.

“Where do I bring ’em, supposing I finds ’em?” said Max.

“Up to the castle, young man. Ask for Count Karlstein. But you’re not to take any notice of what those girls’ll tell you. Very artful they are, very imaginative, full of stories. Don’t listen to a word of it! Grab hold of the little perishers and bring ’em on up to the castle, and Count Karlstein’ll see to it that you don’t go away any the poorer. You won’t lose by it, I promise you that!”

“Oh, right, I’ll do that!” said Max, and I shook my head at him desperately. “I could do with some money right now. Are you all right, miss?”

“Yes—yes,” I said miserably. I’d have to find some way of speaking to him on his own. He looked friendly enough; I was sure he’d believe me, even if no one else did. But I didn’t have the chance, because Snivelwurst tucked my hand beneath his arm; Max went briskly out of the tavern one way, and we went the other.

“Come with me, my dear!” said the secretary. “You may walk up to the castle with me—you’ll enjoy that.”