Then about next morning the Commander-in-Chief came to the Fort in the Hole, and knocked.
And he was wearing a cap and gown over his khaki-coat, so people might take him for a scholar; and under his arm was the great E-book.
And when the Junior Subaltern came to the gate, and asked him what he wanted, he dropped his eyes, and answered very piously, "I have come to examine you all in E,—and especially my deah Captain Tiny."
So the Junior Subaltern let him in, because he knew he could do it all right.
Then the Commander-in-Chief came in, walking with his shoulders rather round, and his knees rather knocky, because that was how he thought you did if you were a scholar.
But when he got to the square, there was the King in his crown walking up and down arm in arm with the Colonel and Tiny.
And they were laughing and chattering all together at once; and the King was telling about his visitors, and how they had gone at last; and the Colonel was talking about the sea-gull, and how he had christened him Moses; and Tiny was telling about mannikin, and what a good little mannikin he was growing under Baby, who had him out of his hole every day to pick daisies, and taught him.
But when they saw the Commander-in-Chief slouching across the square, with the E-book under his arm, they all stopped.
Then the King stepped forward, and took off his crown very courteously, and said,
"Ah, St Jack! I see why you've come. Well. I'll tell you. I have just examined these gentlemen for you. And I know no one will be so glad as you to hear that they have all passed, and especially your deah Captain Tiny, as nobody ever passed before. So now you can go back to the Castle whence you came. Thank-you very much all the same. How d'you do?—Good-bye."