"What does this intrusion mean?" asked Honey Girl, rising. "General Merchandise, I await your answer."
"It means," said the General excitedly, "that our spies, the Mosquito Brothers, inform us that this boy" (pointing to Billy Bounce) "has smuggled Bogie Man into the Palace; and if that be true he dies. Ho, guards, seize him!"
"Hold!" cried Honey Girl.
"Leggo!" cried Billy.
"Hold, I say," said the Queen. "It is true that Bogie Man is here."
"Where! Where!" cried General Merchandise in great excitement. "Ho, guards, seize him if you see him!"
"There he stands," and Honey Girl pointed to Bogie Man.
"That—that Bogie Man? Never!" said the General in surprise.
"It is," said Billy, "but he is guaranteed harmless."