"We never thought of that. How very wise you
are!"
The sheriff next met a man who was carrying a door on his back.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"I have just started on a long jour-ney," said the man.
"But why do you carry that door?" asked the sheriff.
"I left my money at home."
"Then why didn't you leave the door at home too?"
"I was afraid of thieves; and you see, if I have the door with me,
they can't break it open and get in."
"You foolish fellow!" said the sheriff. "It would be safer to leave
the door at home, and carry the money with you."
"Ah, would it, though?" said the man. "Now, I never thought of that.
You are the wisest man that I ever saw."
Then the sheriff rode on with his men; but every one that they met was
doing some silly thing.
"Truly I believe that the people of Gotham are all fools," said one of
the horsemen.
"That is true," said another. "It would be a shame to harm such simple
people."
"Let us ride back to London, and tell the king all about them," said
the sheriff.
"Yes, let us do so," said the horsemen.
So they went back, and told the king that Gotham was a town of fools;
and the king laughed, and said that if that was the case, he would not
harm them, but would let them keep their noses.
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