hould like some explanation of that Baron Troitz's
conduct in entrapping us into coming here. I was distinctly given to
understand that I had been chosen to be the Queen at our local Pageant,
and that we were being taken to talk over the arrangements with the
Committee. Now he has gone off in the most ungentlemanly way, and left
us stranded and helpless here!"

"You must have misunderstood the good Baron," said the Fairy Vogelflug;
"and he is far too loyal to desert you. He has merely hastened on to
Eswareinmal, the city whose walls and towers you see yonder, to prepare
for your reception. As you probably know, he has devoted himself with
the most untiring zeal to his mission of seeking you out and restoring
you to your inheritance."

"He never said a word about that to me--not a word. If I am really
entitled to any property in this country, I should be glad to know
where it is situated, and what is its exact value."

"Then," said the Fairy, "I may inform you that you are entitled, as the
daughter of your late Father--our long-lost and much-lamented Prince
Chrysopras--to no less a possession than the Crown of Maerchenland."

"You--you don't _say_ so!" gasped Mrs. Wibberley-Stimpson. "The Crown
of--Sidney, did you hear _that_."

"It's some mistake, my dear," he said. "Must be! ... My wife's father,
Ma'am, though in some respects--a--a remarkable character, was never a
Prince--at least that _I've_ heard of."

"It doesn't at all follow, Sidney," said his wife in a nettled tone,
"that anything you don't happen to have heard of is not a fact. There
always _was_ a mystery about poor dear Papa's origin. He was most
reticent about it--even with me. And I know it was rumoured that
Prinsley was not his real name. So it would not surprise me in the least
if Mrs. Fogleplug turned out to be right, though I cannot say till she
gives us further particulars."

"I will do so most willingly," said the Fairy. "But as it will take me
some time to relate them, I should strongly advise you all to sit down."

They seated themselves round her in a semicircle, and presently she
began:

"You must know," she said, "that our mighty and gracious Sovereign, the
late King Smaragd, was twice wedded. By his first wife he had an only
son, Prince Chrysopras, a gallant and goodly prince, beloved not only by
his father, but by the whole nation. Well, after mourning his first wife
for a longer period than is customary, King Smaragd took to himself