I have never done you any harm , and have always spoken well of you to the King . If I had deserved my father 's anger I would suffer without a murmur , but , alas ! he is unjust to complain of me , when I have always treated him with love and respect . '' `` Fear nothing , Princess , '' said the Captain of the Guard . `` I would far rather die myself than hurt you ; but even if I am killed you will not be safe : we must find some way of making the King believe that you are dead . '' `` What can we do ? '' said Miranda ; `` unless you take him my heart and my tongue he will never believe you . '' The Princess and the Captain of the Guard were talking so earnestly that they did not think of Patypata , but she had overheard all they said , and now came and threw herself at Miranda 's feet . `` Madam , '' she said , `` I offer you my life ; let me be killed , I shall be only too happy to die for such a kind mistress . '' `` Why , Patypata , '' cried the Princess , kissing her , `` that would never do ; your life is as precious to me as my own , especially after such a proof of your affection as you have just given me . '' `` You are right , Princess , '' said Grabugeon , coming forward , `` to love such a faithful slave as Patypata ; she is of more use to you than I am , I offer you my tongue and my heart most willingly , especially as I wish to make a great name for myself in Goblin Land . '' `` No , no , my little Grabugeon , '' replied Miranda , `` I can not bear the thought of taking your life . '' `` Such a good little dog as I am , '' cried Tintin , `` could not think of letting either of you die for his mistress . If anyone is to die for her it must be me . '' And then began a great dispute between Patypata , Grabugeon , and Tintin , and they came to high words , until at last Grabugeon , who was quicker than the others , ran up to the very top of the nearest tree , and let herself fall , head first , to the ground , and there she lay -- quite dead ! The Princess was very sorry , but as Grabugeon was really dead , she allowed the Captain of the Guard to take her tongue ; but , alas ! it was such a little one -- not bigger than the Princess 's thumb -- that they decided sorrowfully that it was of no use at all : the King would not have been taken in by it for a moment ! `` Alas ! my little monkey , '' cried the Princess , `` I have lost you , and yet I am no better off than I was before . '' `` The honor of saving your life is to be mine , '' interrupted Patypata , and , before they could prevent her , she had picked up a knife and cut her head off in an instant .
But when the Captain XXXXX the Guard would have taken her tongue it turned out to be quite black , so that would not have deceived the King either .
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