“I wonder what the king will say to it when he hears it?”
“Why, reward all who were concerned in it; at least, he ought to do so, if he’s got a spark of generosity in him.”
“What do you intend?” asked Garnet, after a pause.
“I shall leave Ellen in charge of my uncle, and go to the palace at once.”
“But how can you gain admission?”
“Easily enough,” said Ned. “Do you see this ring? I found it near the ale-house.”
“What a splendid one it is. Why, it is a signet ring,” said Garner, “and bears the royal coat of arms.”
“So it does; and inside, as you will perceive, it has the royal cipher, with the inscription, ‘Whoever presents this is admitted.’”
“How could it have been lost?” said Garnet, closely examining it. “There is no doubt it belongs to the king.”
“I know it does.”