nd, prithee, Lady Rebecca, how many queens be there in America? We
begin to doubt if royalty be known there."

Again Messer Guido evinced signs of an anxious desire to speak, and
Rebecca shrewdly took advantage of this at once.

"Messer Guido can tell you all 'bout that, I guess," she said.

Elizabeth turned her eyes to the savant.

"What knowledge have you of this, learned doctor?" she asked, coldly.

"Why, your Majesty," said Guido, with delighted zeal, "the case is
plain. Will your Majesty but look at this drawing on one of the inner
pages of the printed document brought by the Lady Rebecca? Behold the
effigy of a powder canister, with the words 'Royal Baking Powder'
thereon. This would appear evidence that in America gunpowder is known
and is used by the sovereigns of the various tribes. Here again we see
'The Royal Corset,' and there 'Crown Shirts.' Can it be doubted that the
Americans have royal governors?"

The Queen's face cleared a little at this, and Guido proceeded with
increased animation:

"Behold further upon the front page, your Majesty, the effigy of a man
wearing a round crown with a peak or projecting shelf over the eyes.
Under this we read the legend 'The Czar of the Tenderloin.' Now, your
Majesty will remember that the ruler of Muscovy is termed the Czar. The
Tenderloin signifieth, doubtless, some order, akin, perchance, to the
Garter."

"This hath a plausible bent, Messer Guido," said Elizabeth, with more
good-nature. "Lady Rebecca, can you better explain this matter of the
Czar?"

"No, indeed," Rebecca replied, with perfect truth. "Mister Guido must
have a fine mind to understand things like that!"

"In sooth, good Messer Guido," said Elizabeth, with a smile, "your
research and power of logic do you great credit. We doubt not to learn
more of these new empires from your learned pains than ever from
Raleigh, Drake, and the other travellers whose dull wits go but to the
surface of things. But, Lord warrant us!" she continued, "here standeth
our page, having as yet no answer. Go, sirrah, and bid Sir Percevall and
this great American to our presence straight."

Then, turning again to Guido, she said:

"Messer Guido, we enjoin it upon your learning that you do make a note
of the petition of this American, as well as of those things which he
may answer in explanation of his design."

With a bow, Guido stepped to one side and, carefully folding the
newspaper, drew from his bosom his tablet