‘Are you quite sure, your Majesty?’

‘Oh! quite. And as all the knights who tilted last time are still in the town, let it take place to-morrow.’

‘Yes, your Majesty.’

‘And if you could keep him out of the way for a few hours—so that he won’t know what I’m going to do—so much the better.’

‘I’ll challenge him to a game of “Beggar-my-Neighbour”—that generally lasts for a pretty good time.’

‘That will do; the longer the better. Now I’m ready, doctor, if you’ll conduct me to the Prince.’

So they went out at a back door for fear the Knight of London should see them, and they soon reached the house of the Prince.

At the door was a servant, and they asked him where the Prince was.

‘In the garden, your Majesty. I will go and announce your arrival to him.’