How could that have happened without someone seeing it done?"

"I have no idea, Sir."

"There is a sentry on duty in the corridor, isn't there?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Make a thorough investigation, Sarnya; and report to me personally. That is all."

As Sarnya closed the corridor door after him, there came a knock on the door that led to the king's apartments; then it flew open before anyone could say, "Come in," or "Stay out." Prince Michael burst in, flushed and eager; but when he saw that the king was not alone, he stopped, stood up very straight, and saluted his grandfather.

The old man looked at the boy and smiled. "Why all the excitement?" he asked.

"We're late," said Michael. "It is past time for our ride-you know you said we would ride in the park today. I particularly like that ride."

"Why do you like it so much?" asked the king.

"Because in the park I see so many little children playing," explained the boy. "I see them sailing their boats on the pond and flying kites and playing games. I should like to sail a boat on the pond in the park. I should also like very much to fly a kite, but one cannot fly a kite in the palace gardens on account of the trees. Then the palace shuts off the wind, too. However, it is nice to watch them flying theirs in the park. I am all ready to go, Grandpa."

"Come here," said the king. He put his hand on the boy's shoulders. "I am going to disappoint you today, Michael," he said. "I am not going to take you with me."

The eagerness went out of the boy's eyes; and his chin trembled a little, but he said, "Yes, Sir," without a tremor in his voice.

"It is also a disappointment to me," said the king, "but something tells me that I have a very important engagement today."

"Yes, Sir," said the boy; "but we shall go again another day, shan't we?"

Then the old king did that which he had never before done in the presence of others. He drew the boy close to him and kissed him.

"I should hate to think that we never should," he said. "Now run along, my son, and do the best you can in the palace gardens."

As the door closed behind the boy, Jagst turned upon the king. "You don't mean to say that you are going to ride out in the city today, do you?" he demanded fiercely. He even forgot to put in a "Sir" or a "Majesty."

"You wouldn't want them to think that I am afraid of them, would you, Jagst?" demanded the king, a half smile upon his lips.

"I don't give a damn what that scum thinks, Sir," shouted the old general. "I'm only thinking of you, and you should be thinking of your country and your people."

"I am only thinking that I am a king," said the old man, wearily; "and that kings must do what kings are expected to do. My God, Jagst! All my life I have been doing all the things I didn't want to do and none of the things I wanted to do."

"But just today, Sir," pleaded Jagst. "You will not go today?"

"What is the difference, Jagst? If it is not today, it will be tomorrow. Come, walk as far as the carriage with me."

* * * * *

"This," said the little Prince Michael to the gardener's son, "would be a very nice boat if it didn't tip over every time we put it in the water. I think there must be something wrong with it. The boats that the children sail in the park do not tip over like this. Have you ever been to the park and seen them sailing their boats?"

"Oh, yes," replied the gardener's son. "I have sailed boats there myself. The trouble with this boat is that it has no keel. It should have a weighted keel; then it wouldn't tip over so easily."

"You have been to the park and sailed a boat?" said the prince, wistfully. "I was going there today with my grandfather; but he had a very important engagement, and could not take me with him. Perhaps we shall go tomorrow.