The inspector closed the door. "I beg your Majesty's pardon," he said. "This is a most regrettable occurrence. Fortunately, none of those men know."
The King smiled. "I tried not to give myself away before I was obliged to," he said.
"Your Majesty must think we are all quite mad."
"Not at all. So far as I know, every man I have encountered has merely done his duty. Your methods of arrest are a little—arbitrary, shall I say?"
"That is unavoidable, sir, when we have large crowds to deal with."
"I can understand that. A woman was being crushed; I helped her to get over the railings. I suppose that was wrong?"
The inspector smiled apologetically. "Men have been fined for it, before now, sir," said he.
"Very well, I will pay my fine," smiled the King. "And then, if you don't mind, I will go home."
His Majesty's kindly humor won the inspector's gratitude. "I'm sure it's very good of your Majesty to treat the matter so lightly."
"It was entirely my own fault," said the King. "How was I to be recognized?"