“You ought to be,” was the confident reply, “for I am merely the sentry guarding the way to Bear Center, which is a city containing hundreds of my race, who are ruled by a very powerful sorcerer known as the Lavender Bear. He ought to be a purple color, you know, seeing he is a King, but he’s only light lavender, which is, of course, second cousin to royal purple. So, unless you come with me peaceably, as my prisoners, I shall fire my gun and bring a hundred bears—of all sizes and colors—to capture you.”

“Why do you wish to capture us?” inquired the Frogman, who had listened to this speech with much astonishment.

“I don’t wish to, as a matter of fact,” replied the little Brown Bear, “but it is my duty to, because you are now trespassing on the domain of His Majesty the King of Bear Center. Also I will admit that things are rather quiet in our city, just now, and the excitement of your capture, followed by your trial and execution, should afford us much entertainment.”

“We defy you!” said the Frogman.

“Oh, no; don’t do that,” pleaded Cayke, speaking to her companion. “He says his King is a sorcerer, so perhaps it is he or one of his bears who ventured to steal my jeweled dishpan. Let us go to the City of the Bears and discover if my dishpan is there.”

“I must now register one more charge against you,” remarked the little Brown Bear, with evident satisfaction. “You have just accused us of stealing, and that is such a dreadful thing to say that I am quite sure our noble King will command you to be executed.”

“But how could you execute us?” inquired the Cookie Cook.

“I’ve no idea. But our King is a wonderful inventor and there is no doubt he can find a proper way to destroy you. So, tell me, are you going to struggle, or will you go peaceably to meet your doom?”

It was all so ridiculous that Cayke laughed aloud and even the Frogman’s wide mouth curled in a smile. Neither was a bit afraid to go to the Bear City and it seemed to both that there was a possibility they might discover the missing dishpan. So the Frogman said:

“Lead the way, little Bear, and we will follow without a struggle.”

“That’s very sensible of you; very sensible, indeed!” declared the Brown Bear. “So—for-ward march!” and with the command he turned around and began to waddle along a path that led between the trees.