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Show ^ 9 - The three old men were crouched down on their knees, trembling with their heads hunched together. "Hello!" said Sandy. Startled, they banged their heads together. "Did you put the mouse down?" quavered the old man with the one-pointed beard. "Yes," said Sandy. "Why are you afraid of it? It can't hurt you." "Have you ever had a mouse climb up your beard?" "No, I can't say as I have," giggled Sandy. "Well, it hurts!" "There is no pain quite like it," interrupted the old man with the two pointed beard. "It was the bravest thing we ever did when we chained that mouse to the post!" The old man with the three-pointed beard hiccoughed. "V/hy did you chain that poor little mouse?" asked Sandy, as she climbed over the wall. "It makes a great watchmouse. We always know when someone is crossing over our hill," answered the old man with the one-' pointed beard. "That will cost you two emeralds and a pearl." "No - no, that's three emeralds and a ruby," said the old man with the two-pointed beard. The old man with the three-pointed beard hiccoughed. "What will cost me emeralds and whatever?" demanded Sandy. "The toll! You crossed our hilltop, and you must pay us! "I didn't see a sign saying this was a toll crossing!" cried |