“Well,” said the King, on the following evening, “you have them prisoners?”
“Yes, Sire.”
“Safely?”
“They are back in their old apartments, sir,” replied the chamberlain.
“What, not imprisoned?”
“No, Sire; they are carefully watched, but they are still your Majesty’s guests.”
“Absurd!” cried the King fiercely. “This man can be no ambassador. He is a marauder, a masquerader, who came to my court to act the common thief.”
“But the letter, Sire, of which he was the bearer?”
“Is as false as everything else concerning him. My guests!” cried the King fiercely. “My prisoners! This man shall die.”
“But that will not restore the jewel, Sire.”