-Ki and we ourselves will conduct
them to the mighty High Ki."

At this command the twin captains bowed again to both pairs of rulers
and led Prince Marvel and Nerle from the room. Then they were escorted
along the streets to the twin houses of the captains, and here the
officers paused and scratched their left ears with uncertain gestures.

"There being only half of each of you," they said, "we do not know how
to lock each of you in double rooms."

"Oh, let us both occupy the same room," said Prince Marvel. "We prefer
it."

"Very well," answered the captains; "we must transgress our usual
customs in any event, so you may as well be lodged as you wish."

So Nerle and the prince were thrust into a large and pleasant room of
one of the twin houses, the double doors were locked upon them by twin
soldiers, and they were left to their own thoughts.

15. The High Ki of Twi

"Tell me, Prince, are we awake or asleep?" asked Nerle, as soon as they
were alone.

"There is no question of our being awake," replied the prince, with a
laugh. "But what a curious country it is--and what a funny people!"

"We can't call them odd or singular," said the esquire, "for everything
is even in numbers and double in appearance. It makes me giddy to look
at them, and I keep feeling of myself to make sure there is still only
one of me."

"You are but half a boy!" laughed the prince--"at least so long as you
remain in the Land of Twi."

"I'd like to get out of it in double-quick time," answered Nerle; "and
we should even now be on the other side of the hedge were it not for
that wicked pair of Ki-Ki, who are determined to kill us."

"It is strange," said the prince, thoughtfully, "that the
fierce-looking old Ki should be our friends and the gentle Ki-Ki our
enemies. How little one can tell from appearances what sort of heart
beats in a person's body!"

Before Nerle could answer the two doors opened and two pairs of
soldiers entered. They drew two small tables before the prince and two
before Nerle, and then other pairs of twin soldiers came and spread
cloths on the tables and set twin platters of meat and bread and fruit
on each of the tables. When the meal had been arranged the prisoners
saw that there was enough for four people instead of two; and the
soldiers realized this also, for they turned puzzled looks first on the
tables and then on the prisoners. Then they shook all their twin heads
gravely and went away, lo