So there and then the messenger was marched off to spend the night in prison, and all the Wise Men in the kingdom were bidden to appear in the Council Chamber the very next day, especially one very old Wise Man from the East who was reputed to be wiser than all the others put together.
The next day, of course, was Christmas Day, but, as these people had never heard of Christmas, there were no bells ringing, no carols were sung, and there was neither holly, ivy nor mistletoe upon the walls.
Slowly and painfully the Wise Men began to arrive.
They were all dressed alike, in black flowing robes, and on their heads they wore long pointed black caps covered with weird devices.
The very old Wise Man from the East wore a red pointed cap, but in all other respects was dressed just like the others.
They assembled round a large circular table at one end of the Hall. In the middle of the table was placed the token.
At the other end of the Hall were gathered the warriors, and above them on a double throne sat the King and Queen with the Princesses grouped on either side of the dais.
The Wise Men examined the token in silence.
“’Tis a curious beast,” said one of them at last.
“Of a new and quite unheard-of species,” said another.