The Knight-mare stepped forward and put himself between the children
and the Bad Dreams. "Look here, you fellows," he said quietly, "you
may as well stop this nonsense first as last. You haven't got any
business here, and well you know it. If the Boss finds you've been
disposing of any prisoners without his permission--well--_you_ know
what'll happen!"

That the Bad Dreams did know was to be seen by their foolish scared
expressions. The Indian Chief, with a disappointed grunt, replaced his
tomahawk in his belt, and seated himself cross-legged on the grass,
drawing his blanket closely about him. The Policeman stopped murmuring
"Move on!" The Cow dropped clumsily on all fours and began to crop the
bushes. Even the Little Dentist put his pincers back into his pocket,
though he still looked wistfully at Ann, who avoided his eye as much
as she could. This was a very terrifying company in which the children
found themselves, and in spite of the comforting presence of the
friendly Knight-mare, they felt very doubtful of their present safety,
not to speak of what might be done to them when once they were in the
clutches of that dreadful "Boss", whom even the Bad Dreams seemed to
be afraid of.

"He has all the fun, anyway," snorted the Cow, switching her tail.
"All the choice bits of torturing. Why, I've not had so much as a
single toss since I've been on this job; no I haven't!" And she shook
her sharp curved horns at Ann.

"Not a tooth out yet!" complained the Dentist, "not a single one." He
sighed, glancing from Ann to Rudolf and from Rudolf back again to Ann,
as if he expected they might be coaxed into presenting him with a full
set each.