“Eh? What? You mean this is secret, and not for other ears?”
The two young men made a quick movement as their eyes sought the King’s, and mutely asked the question:
Your Majesty wishes us to go?
“My liege, what I communicated was of the gravest import to you and yours, meant for your ears alone.”
“To be sure, Leoni, but kings need very long ears indeed to take in all that concerns them—and have them too, sometimes, my learned doctor, as I have no doubt you men of wisdom think. But to be serious; I find I cannot hear all I want for myself, and am glad to have the help of other ears that I can trust. You are suspicious, my good old friend.”
“No, your Majesty: cautious in your service. Years of experience have taught me to trust no one in your Majesty’s service but myself.”
“Ah, but you are not a king. Where should I be if I trusted none?”
The doctor bowed.
“There, you see, I trust you; and what is more, I trust these two boys as thoroughly as anyone at Court. You know, old friend, that there are hundreds here who will say they would die for me. Now, those two lads would not say such a thing to save their lives.”
“Your Majesty!” cried the two young courtiers, in the same tone of protest.