he crept into the stalls, patting the horses, stroking their necks, talking to them.
"Take care, Dolf!" cried Conrad as the boy approached a powerful black horse placed apart from the rest. "That is a new comer, and no one but the head groom dares to touch him. He is dangerous."
"I dare," said Dolf, setting his teeth. "See!" The little heir watched, pale and frightened, as the black-haired boy climbed to the manger above the horse's head, and softly brought his brown cheek close down to its sensitive right ear.
A moment after, and Dolf's bare legs were astride the creature's unsaddled back, while he fondled the sleek neck lovingly.
In yet another moment he had loosed the tether, and "Emperor" was free.
"How dared you? How did you do it?" whispered Conrad, as if afraid of breaking a spell.
"A secret!" said Dolf smiling. "Now watch me ride around the courtyard!"
