uting loud expressions of their loyalty,
Really-Is, the King, stood still beside the way, smiling, smiling sadly
at the pretty show.

[Illustration: (see king011.png)]

And never did Really-Is neglect to make his offering every morning in
the temple sacred to the god Things-That-Ought-To-Be; though in secret
he worshiped there because of the decree of Seemsto-Be. And no one told
the false ruler that his commandment was broken, nor spoke to him the
name of his brother Really-Is.

But after a while, as time passed by, things went not so gaily with the
impostor on the throne of Allthetime. And it was the Crown that did
it--that wonderful Magic Crown.

The Court Fool noticed it first and made a jest about it, and Seemsto-Be
laughed royally long and loud, and all the Court laughed with him, for
the fool, Thinks-He-Is, is a most famous fool, the greatest that has
ever been since the Father of Fools was born.

Next, the Lord Chief High Chamberlain noticed, and the Lord Chief High
Chamberlain whispered to Seemsto-Be a most portentous whisper. And the
portentous whisper of the Lord Chief High Chamberlain reached the ears
of the Chief First Officer of State; then passed from Officer of State
to Officer of State until it reached the Chief Captain of the Guard, and
soon the soldiers of the royal army and even the royal servants of the
palace were whispering, whispering, whispering about the strange affair.

Then it was that Seemsto-Be sent throughout the kingdom, commanding in
haste to the palace the most expert workers in gems and the most cunning
workers in gold to be found in the Land of Allthetime.

It was true. The priceless jewels of the Magic Crown were losing their
brilliancy. The precious gold of the Crown was becoming dull. Nor could
all the skill of the workers in gems, all the craft of the workers in
gold restore the beauty of the Crown or keep its fading splendor.

And so the whispers grew louder and louder until the people began to
talk in low tones among themselves, questioning, questioning one another
of the meaning of this thing. And at last the Royal Officers of State
began to look with distrust and fear upon their ruler, who tried so hard
to wear bravely his crown of tarnished gold and lusterless gems; and the
soldiers came to look with doubt and fear upon the officers, who
whispered so among themselves; and the people looked with suspicion and
fear upon them all.

Without understanding, filled with dr