"You're welcome, your Majesty."
As soon as he was alone the King took out his tablets. On these he was accustomed to record any great thoughts which occurred to him during the day. He now wrote in them these noble words:
"Jewels of wisdom may fall from the meanest of hinds."
He struck a gong to summon the Chancellor into his presence.
"I have a great idea," he told the Chancellor.
The Chancellor hid his surprise and expressed his pleasure.
"To-night I propose to pay a secret visit to his Majesty the King of Barodia. Which of the many tents yonder have my spies located as the royal one?"
"The big on in the centre, above which the Royal Arms fly."
"I thought as much. Indeed I have often seen his Majesty entering it. But one prefers to do these things according to custom. Acting on the information given me by my trusty spies, I propose to enter the King of Barodia's tent at the dead of night, and——"
The Chancellor shuddered in anticipation.