THE PRIZE BASKET 129

that the little red bird proved nothing since his sis-
ter could easily have worked in the small design
after she stole the basket. He was wondering just
what to do, not caring to accuse his own sister, a
princess, with theft, when Koots, who had been stand-
ing beside Lana, limped forward and sniffed the two
baskets, then lay down beside the one that Kish
claimed for hers.

Steilta’s keen eyes noticed this, and there flashed
into his mind a bold plan which would put all the
burden of proof upon the little dog. He would per-
suade his father to let Koots pick out Lana’s basket!

Glancing at his father, he saw that the chief was
greatly perplexed, for he, like every one else, knew
that Kish was jealous of the slave girl and had
played many tricks upon her. Steilta saw that his
mother too was frowning thoughtfully. She was very
fond of Lana, he knew, and besides, she had once
been an expert basket-maker herself and must have
seen that one basket was much finer than the other;
she must have known that Kish was not capable
of making such a basket as the one she claimed for
her own.

“Tet Koots decide which basket is which,” Steilta
suggested, trying to hide his excitement. “Let both
baskets be hidden somewhere in the village and let
Lana send Koots to bring her basket. We all know
that he will bring only things that belong to her—