ession return home, tail-end
foremost. The march was at once begun, each man, as he reached the
city, going immediately to his home and family.

The King and the greater part of the line had a long and weary
journey, as they followed each other through the country and over the
devious ways in which the Sphinx had led them in the City of Mingled
Sentiments. The King was obliged to pursue all these complicated
turnings, or be separated from his officers, and so break up his
communication with his palace. The Sphinx accompanied him.

When at last, he reached his palace, his line of former followers
having apparently melted entirely away, he hurried up-stairs to the
Queen, leaving the Sphinx in the court-yard.

The King found, when he had time to look into the affairs of his
dominions, that every thing was in the most admirable condition. The
Queen had retained a few of the best officials to carry on the
government, and had ordered the rest to fall, one by one, into the
line of communication. The King set himself to work to think about
the matter. It was not long before he came to the conclusion that the
main thing which had been wrong in his kingdom was himself. He was so
greatly impressed with this idea that he went down to the court-yard
to speak to the Sphinx about it.

"I dare say you are right," said the Sphinx, "and I don't wonder that
what you learned when you were away, and what you have seen since you
came back, have made you feel certain that you were the cause of
every thing going wrong in this kingdom. And now, what do you intend
to do about your government?"

"Give it up," promptly replied the King.

"That is exactly what I should advise," said the Sphinx.

The King did give up his kingdom. He was convinced that being a King
was exactly the thing he was not suited for, and that he would get on
much better in some other business or profession. He determined to be
a traveller and explorer, and to go abroad into other countries to
find out things that might be useful to his own nation. His Queen had
shown that she could govern the country most excellently, and it was
not at all necessary for him to stay at home. She had ordered all the
men who had made up his line to follow the King's example and to go
into some good business; in order that not being bothered with so
many officers, she would be able to get along quite easily.

The King was very successful in his new pursuit, and although he did
not this