It was pathetic to watch this one-time master of millions struggling to get the coveted food. He would throw himself at it and recoil trembling from the mysterious force that had shocked and baffled him; he would sink to his knees or leap in the air, trying to reach above or below the invisible barrier; and then he would dissemble, slink toward the basins and make a sudden dash, as though the strong chemical was an enemy whom he thought he could take off its guard. At last he gave over and turned away with a despairing moan. Meigs faced the king and began an angry outburst which the professor made haste to interrupt. "Your majesty," said Quinn, "this needy gentleman is also a friend of ours. Will you not supply his wants, or enable us to do so?" "The indexograph informed me as to his character," answered the king, "and it is a law of the realm that punishment must fit the crime. When your friend will truly acknowledge himself in the wrong his needs will be plentifully supplied. Until that time he must beg his food from house to house, morsel by morsel." "And this other gentleman in the kirtle," proceeded the professor, "will you not exercise a little clemency in his case?" "I have already exercised a good deal of clemency," the king answered; "nor can I go any further until he also announces a change of heart." Markham was as deaf to the word-boxes as was Meigs, and his majesty’s will was interpreted to them. "I am not in the wrong!" declared Markham. "The principle involved is of vital importance, and I will die for it, if need be." "So will I," averred Meigs. "We will eliminate your friends from our calculations for the present," said the king. "Just now I would like to know what has become of my executioner-general." "He is pinned to the roof of the under-world," said the professor. "Can you bring him back?" asked the king, turning his eye aloft. "Really, I don’t see how we are to get along without him." "Possibly I can return him to you," answered the professor. "I will try, at least, providing you will grant a request I have to make." This dallying with the royal prerogative was not well received by his majesty, nor by those around him. "What request would you make, in case I was inclined to receive it?" asked the king. "I would have you bring out the Bolla and allow these two gentlemen to take it in their hands." The king gave a start, and a look of consternation overspread the faces of those in his retinue. "Where did you hear of the Bolla?" the king asked sharply. "In the other kingdom, your majesty," the professor replied. The king was silent a few moments. "We will take that matter up later," said he finally. "From whence come you and your friends? That point has been bothering me for some little time." "We come from another planet which is called the Earth," said Quinn. "Does the planet you speak of circle around our sun?" "Yes, your majesty." "Is it as large as Njambai?" "Much larger, your majesty."