The Thirteenth Chapter.
Here the Crafty Courtier plays a clever Trick on Queen Helen and her Ladies. Here, too, is told of an Adventure with the Three Buccaneers.
EFORE Long Jim had time to give a second rap, tap, tap, the front door of the Castle opened and a servant in royal livery stood ready to usher the crafty courtier into the Audience Hall.
“You may announce to Her Majesty the Queen, that I come from the King with a very important message,” said Long Jim.
The servant departed. “Ha, ha, ha,” chuckled Long Jim, “I certainly am a clever one! I told the man to tell the Queen I had a message from the King, but I didn’t tell him it was from the King of Grumbletown; and he thinks it {100} is from his own King. He does not know what a clever one I am and how I can fool all of them, but he will find out very soon.”
“Her Majesty will give you an audience,” announced the servant, as he returned. Then, he conducted Long Jim to the Royal Parlors, where the Queen sat surrounded by her Ladies.
“Your Majesty,” said Long Jim, addressing the Queen, after taking off his hat and bowing courteously, “the King sends you greeting, and begs to inform you that the army of Grumbletown is being held in check and has even been driven back in some places. He wished me to say to you that there is no danger at present, and he hopes you and these noble Ladies will have a good time and enjoy yourselves. He suggests that you might find it a pleasure to go for a sail on the lake.”