tradesmen what they
were.

"Now, gentlemen," said his Majesty, "you see these old things. For
reasons which I must ask you to excuse me for keeping to myself, I wish
you to provide me with objects exactly and precisely similar to these,
with all the look of age."

The tradesmen examined the objects, each choosing that in his own line of
business.

"As to the sword, sire," said the cutler, "it is an Andrea Ferrara, a
fine old blade. By a lucky accident, I happen to have one at home in a
small collection of ancient weapons, exactly like it. This evening it
shall be at your Majesty's disposal."

"Perhaps, Herr Schnitzler, you will kindly write an order for it, as I
wish no one of you to leave the palace, if you can conveniently stay,
till your business is finished."

"With pleasure, your Majesty," says the cutler.

"As to the old rug," said the upholsterer, "I have a Persian one quite
identical with it at home, at your Majesty's service."

"Then you can do like Herr Schnitzler," who was the cutler.

"And I," said the hatter, "have two old caps just like these, part of a
bankrupt theatrical stock."

"We are most fortunate," said the king.

"The boots, now I come to think of it, are unimportant, at least for the
present. Perhaps we can borrow a pair from the theatre."

"As for the glass," said the optician, "if your Majesty will allow me to
take it home with me--"

"I am afraid I cannot part with it," said the king; "but that, too, is
unimportant, or not very pressing."

Then he called for a servant, to order luncheon for the shopkeepers, and
paper for them to write their orders on. But no one was within hearing,
and in that very old part of the palace there were no bells.

"Just pardon me for an instant, while I run downstairs," said his
Majesty; "and, it seems a strange thing to ask, but may I advise you not
to sit down on that carpet? I have a reason for it."

In fact, he was afraid that someone might sit down on it, and wish he was
somewhere else, and be carried away, as was the nature of the carpet.

King Prigio was not absent a minute, for he met William on the stairs;
but when he came back, there was not one single person in the
turret-room!

"Where on earth are they?" cried the king, rushing through all the rooms
in that part of the castle. He shouted for them, and looked everywhere;
but there was not a trace of tailor, hatter, optician, swordmaker,
upholsterer.

The king hastened to a