. "His Majesty bids you welcome," said one of the doll
fishes in a sweet voice. "Be kind enough to enter the royal palace,
and our ocean monarch will graciously receive you."

"Seems to me," said Trot to the queen, "these things are putting on
airs. Perhaps they don't know we're friends of Anko."

"The king insists on certain formalities when anyone visits him,"
was Aquareine's reply. "It is right that his dignity should be
maintained."

They followed their winged conductors to one of the upper openings,
and as they entered it Aquareine said in a clear voice, "May the
glory and power of the ocean king continue forever!" Then she
touched the palm of her hand to her forehead in token of allegiance,
and Clia did the same, so Cap'n Bill and Trot followed suit. The
brief ceremony being ended, the child looked curiously around to see
what the palace of the mighty Anko was like.

An extensive hall lined with alabaster was before them. In the floor
were five of the round holes. Upon the walls were engraved many
interesting scenes of ocean life, all chiseled very artistically by
the tusks of walruses who, Trot was afterward informed, are greatly
skilled in such work. A few handsome rugs of woven sea grasses were
spread upon the floor, but otherwise the vast hall was bare of
furniture. The doll-faced fishes escorted them to an upper room
where a table was set, and here the revelers were invited to refresh
themselves. As all four were exceedingly hungry, they welcomed the
repast, which was served by an army of lobsters in royal purple
aprons and caps.

The meal being finished, they again descended to the hall, which
seemed to occupy all the middle of the building. And now their
conductors said, "His Majesty is ready to receive you in his den."

They swam downward through one of the round holes in the floor and
found themselves in a brilliantly lighted chamber which appeared
bigger than all the rest of the palace put together. In the center
was the quaint head of King Anko, and around it was spread a great
coverlet of purple and gold woven together. This concealed all of
his body and stretched from wall to wall of the circular room.
"Welcome, friends!" said Anko pleasantly. "How do you like my home?"

"It's very grand," replied Trot.

"Just the place for a sea serpent, seems to me," said Cap'n Bill.

"I'm glad you admire it," said the King. "Perhaps I ought to tell
you that from this day you four belong to me."

"How's