`` Some enchanter may have deprived it of its power , it may be worn out , someone may have substituted a common Persian rug ; anything may happen . You must learn to depend on yourself . Now , be off with you , I 'm busy . And remember , you do n't stir without my permission . '' The prince ran off , and presently the sounds of stamping feet and '' un , deux ; doublez , degagez , vite ; contre de carte , '' and so forth , might be heard over a great part of the royal establishment . CHAPTER VII . Prince Ricardo and an Old Enemy . -LCB- The Yellow Dwarf : p123.jpg -RCB- `` There is one brute I wish I could get upsides with , '' said Ricardo , at breakfast one morning , his mouth full of sardine . `` Really , Ricardo , your language is most unprincely , '' said his august father ; `` I am always noticing it . You mean , I suppose , that there is one enemy of the human race whom you wish to abolish . What is the name of the doomed foe ? '' `` Well , he is the greatest villain in history , '' said Ricardo . `` You must have read about him , sir , the Yellow Dwarf . '' `` Yes , I have certainly studied what is told us about him , '' said the king . `` He is no favourite of mine . '' `` He is the only one , if you notice , sir , of all the scoundrels about whom our ancestors inform us , who escaped the doom which he richly merited at the sword of a good knight . '' You may here remark that , since Dick took to his studies , he could speak , when he chose , like a printed book , which was by no means the case before . `` If you remember , sir , he polished off -- I mean , he slew -- the King of the Golden Mines and the beautiful , though frivolous , Princess Frutilla . All that the friendly Mermaid could do for them was to turn them into a pair of beautiful trees which intertwine their branches . Not much use in that , sir !
And nothing was done XXXXX the scoundrel .
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