“They are our mayors,” Beader imparted, as the band struck up an entirely new air, “of Dorton, of Nightsville, of Stubbleton, and here.”
The band again silent, the most portly mouse advanced to the flag-covered table.
“Mayor Mouser, of Micetown,” whispered Beader.
“Friends and fellow mice,” began the speaker, “we are gathered here to-day to welcome to our midst one who has traveled from afar. We have—”
And standing there with his head against the branches—Beader whispering explanations of all that was not clear to him—Dan listened to this welcoming speech.
“And now, in conclusion,” said the mayor, “I have, in the name of all our villages, the honor of presenting Diggeldy Dan, with the key to the Valley of Tick Tock.” As he said this he lifted one hand in signal toward the companies of Jumping Dragoons. Instantly Dan saw that the red-coated ones had taken hold of that end of the string which lay nearest them. Now they ran outward quite as if they were playing at tug-of-war. At the same moment the string tightened in the pulley, and then—up from the table came the flag. As it unfurled to the breeze, Dan saw that its emblem was a sheaf of bright yellow wheat. Under the flag hung a bit of free string and, fast to the end of it—spinning and glittering as it came—was a golden key scarcely longer than Dan’s little finger! In a second the key had been drawn up on a level with his face and, prompted by Beader, the clown untied it amid wave upon wave of heartiest cheers and the gayest of gala-day music.
While the huzzas were in progress any who were not looking at Dan might have noted that the four on the platform were in close consultation. A moment later Mayor Mouser again waved for attention.
“I am happy to say that I have still another announcement to make,” said he, when silence had fallen. “Of course the greater part of our guest’s day and evening will be taken up with the tour of the valley. But this, as we all know, being Clock Day Night, I ask that all of you who can possibly do so, be in the square at midnight. For it has been unanimously decided that Diggeldy Dan is to accompany us to Hear the Clock Strike One!”
Cheer after cheer greeted this news. Again Dan was reminded of the queer tower that he had seen among the trees when he first entered the valley. Again he recalled the strange sound that had lulled him to sleep. He wondered if these things were to play a part in the promised adventure. But there was no time to ask. Already Beader had descended to the ground and was bringing the dragoons to attention; already a new procession was being formed to escort Dan on his tour through the Valley of Tick Tock.