"You took us off guard, sir. We were not informed that your Majesty would be going anywhere to-night."
"Is that the rule?"
"It is always our business to inquire."
"I should not have told any one."
"It would still, sir, have been our business to find out."
"You surprise me!" said the King. It had never dawned upon him that he was so watched. "And so to-night, for the first time, I gave you the slip?"
"I take the blame, sir," said the inspector; his voice was grave.
"Why should you? No harm has been done. The only question now is how am I to get back?"
"I can get you a cab, sir, at once. Or would your Majesty rather I sent word to the palace?"
"No, certainly not. If I have not been missed, nobody need know."