"I should leave the first note to him," said Hyacinth.
"Yes, yes, you're right. No doubt he will wish to explain how he came to be there. Just a moment, dear."
He went over to his archers, who were drawn up in line again.
"You may take your men down now," he said to the Captain.
"Yes, your Majesty."
His Majesty looked quickly round the castle walls, and then leant confidentially towards the Captain.
"Er—which was the man who—er"— he fingered his cheek—"er—quite so. The one on the left? Ah, yes." He went to the man on the left and put a bag of gold into his hand.
"You have a very good style with the bow, my man. Your wrist action is excellent. I have never seen an arrow go so high."
The company saluted and withdrew. The King and Hyacinth sat down to breakfast.
"A little mullet, my dear?" he said.