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Several of the bears waddled over to one of the trees and pulled from its
hollow a tiny pink bear, smaller than any of the others. A big, white bear
carried the pink one in his arms and set it down beside the King, arranging
the joints of its legs so that it would stand upright.
This Pink Bear seemed lifeless until the King turned a crank which protruded
from its side, when the little creature turned its head stiffly from side to side
and said in a small, shrill voice, "Hurrah for the King of Bear Center!"
"
Very good," said the big Lavender Bear. "He seems to be working very well
today. Tell me, my Pink Pinkerton, what has become of this lady's jeweled
dishpan?"
"
U-u-u," said the Pink Bear, and then stopped short.
The King turned the crank again.
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
U-g-u the Shoemaker has it," said the Pink Bear.
Who is Ugu the Shoemaker?" demanded the King, again turning the crank.
A magician who lives on a mountain in a wickerwork castle," was the reply.
Where is the mountain?" was the next question.
Nineteen miles and three furlongs from Bear Center to the northeast."
And is the dishpan still at the castle of Ugu the Shoemaker?" asked the King.
It is."
The King turned to Cayke.
"
You may rely on this information," said he. "The Pink Bear can tell us
anything we wish to know, and his words are always words of truth."
"
"
Is he alive?" asked the Frogman, much interested in the Pink Bear.
Something animates him when you turn his crank," replied the King. "I do
not know if it is life or what it is or how it happens that the Little Pink Bear
can answer correctly every question put to him. We discovered his talent a
long time ago, and whenever we wish to know anything--which is not very
often--we ask the Pink Bear. There is no doubt whatever, madam, that Ugu
the Magician has your dishpan, and if you dare to go to him, you may be able
to recover it. But of that I am not certain."
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