’Good friends,’ said he, addressing the assembly, ’I bring you glorious news—the news of the safe return of the king, my father! You have doubtless already seen that his "chariot of the skies" has arrived? To that I am rejoiced to be able to add the welcome tidings that my royal father, and all who accompanied him, have come back safely and in good health.’ At this there was much shouting and clapping of hands upon the part of the hitherto silent crowd. Evidently they had been awaiting news in some suspense, anxious as to whether, though they knew the _Ivenia_ had returned, some untoward accident might have happened to any of those on board. ’I am also the bearer, good friends, of commands to you from the king,’ continued Alondra, when the shouting had died down. ’By his wish I take my seat here in his absence, to welcome in his name to his royal home some strangers he has brought with him from a far-distant planet. Good friends, that is all I need say to you! These strangers are the king’s friends and guests, and as such he bids you receive and treat them until he comes himself to attend to their pleasure and comfort.’ Then such a clamour was heard as fairly took the visitors by surprise. It seemed even to surpass that which had greeted the announcement of the king’s safe return. Hands, handkerchiefs, banners, were waved, trumpets blared, cymbals sounded. Finally, at a sign from the prince, there was a general rush towards the dais, the friendly crowd almost tumbling over one another, as each seemed determined to be the first to shake hands with these strangers from a distant world. *CHAPTER XIV.* *TOM CLINCH’S STATEMENT.* When the plaudits which greeted the strangers had subsided, and the strenuous handshaking had come to an end, Monck, at a signal from Alondra, conducted them from the great hall to a private suite of apartments. ’These are assigned to you for your own use during your stay here,’ he explained. ’I may tell you, in confidence, that they have never been occupied by any save guests of consequence. Therefore, the fact that they have been allotted to you is one more proof that my royal master desires to pay you special honour in the eyes of his people.’ ’It is very kind of him,’ murmured Armeath, ’but a little embarrassing. It is likely to cause misapprehension. We are no royal visitors, you know.’ ’My master knows it also,’ Monck reminded him. ’But he is not like other monarchs. You know by this time, for instance, that he never allows any one to address him as "your Majesty." He looks upon it as unnecessary, and resents it as he does any kind of adulation or flattery. He expects that we shall treat him with due respect as the head of the State. If you go beyond that, so far from pleasing him, you only offend him.’ ’And if you do less,’ observed Gerald, ’why then’——