“‘Sunset’s gone into a trance,’ he announced. ‘You know. A sort of swoon, only worse.’ “‘Curse these enchanters,’ said the King, catching up his crown. ‘Where is she?’ “‘In the forecourt,’ said the Lord Chamberlain. ‘She was playing with the State bloodhound when all of a sudden she collapsed. She’s still got the dog by the ear.’ “This was true. What was more to the point was that the physicians advised that, since she was under a spell, any attempt to interfere with her grip would probably prove fatal. “The position was really extremely awkward. “With incredible difficulty Sunset was got to bed, while the dog, who was becoming every moment more suspicious and impatient of his detention, was persuaded to lie upon a divan by her side. “Then a council was held. “Violence to the bloodhound seemed futile, and mutilation as bad. If Sunset was destined for an indefinite period to grasp a piece of flesh, it seemed best that it should be alive. The dog, however, would require exercise—an obviously delicate business, since the sleeping princess must accompany it upon its rambles. “‘The dog,’ said the King, ‘must be duly tended and controlled. Who’s to do it?’ “‘Nothing doing,’ said the Lord Chamberlain. ‘I’d rather resign. The brute jolly near had me when we were going upstairs.’ “‘He never did like me,’ said the Comptroller hurriedly. ‘Always growls when I pass.’ “‘That’s nothing to go by,’ said the King. ‘Heaps of dogs——’ “‘It’s good enough for me,’ said the Comptroller shortly. “‘The truth is,’ said the Treasurer, ‘that he’s not a nice dog. There’s only one man who ever has got on with him, and that’s the Master of the Horse.’ “‘But I’ve just fired him,’ said the King. ‘Besides, he’s got off with Sunset. That’s what I fired him for.’ “Here the door was opened, and a servant put in his head. “‘Excuse me, sir,’ he said, ‘but I think the dog wants to go out.’ “By the time the King, with his daughter in his arms, had been twice round the forecourt, over the drawbridge, down a steep bank into a ploughed field through a brook, in and out of an orchard, over two walls and along an evil-smelling drain, his mind was made up. “As the Court arrived— “‘Issue two orders,’ he said faintly. ‘First, all cats are to be collected and kept under lock and key until further notice. Penalty for disobedience, Death.’ He nodded at the bloodhound, who was eating heartily. ‘God knows where I should be, but for that sheep’s head.’ He paused to mop his face. ‘Secondly, the Master of the Horse is to be found forthwith.’ “Half an hour later the two men once more faced each other. The Master of the Horse had Sunset in his arms, with the dog stretched at his feet. The King had his cheque-book in his hand. “‘Supposing,’ said the King, ‘supposing you rubbed that ring.’ “‘Why?’ said the Master of the Horse, glancing at the beautiful face upon his shoulder. ‘I’m not in any trouble.’ “The King fingered his beard.