“Have you seen anyone go out?” he cried.
“No one, sire,” answered the soldiers.
The king, who began to guess what had happened, hurried back to the turret-room.
There were all the tradesmen with parcels under their arms.
“What means this, gentlemen?” said his Majesty, severely. “For what reason did you leave the room without my permission?”
They all knelt down, humbly imploring his compassion.
“Get up, you donkeys!” said the king, forgetting his politeness. “Get up, and tell me where you have been hiding yourselves.”
The hatter came forward, and said:
“Sire, you will not believe me; indeed, I can scarcely believe it myself!”
“Nor none of us can’t,” said the swordmaker. “We have been home, and brought the articles. All orders executed with punctuality