"It is," said the King. "Sometimes it's me sitting ar-my, but now it's me standing ar-m-y. There has never yet been mutiny or insubordination--it stands as wan man by its King. It can move rapidly and without much noise, and above all things it is most economical to maintain." "I'm sure it's very fine, sir--I mean Your Majesty," said Billy. "And now, bye, why did ye call me, the Irish King O'Fudge, a Lazy Majesty?" "I meant nothing wrong, sir, but when I said, your Honor, Mr. Herald here whispered to me that's Lèse Majesty." "So that's the way the wind blows--Herald, explain." The Herald bent one knee, "Your Highness, I but explained to the fat boy that he had committed Lèse Majesty, which means that he had insulted you--it's Latin." "It's Latin, is it?" cried the King. "Latin, you say? How dare you talk Latin before me when Brogue is the court language? I fine you a month's pay." "But, your Majesty's pardon, I have received no pay for two years." "Sure," said the King, "and your salary is $3.75 a month." "Yes, sire," said the Herald, smiling, because he thought the King was going to give him all his back pay. "Yes, sire, forgive me for reminding you." "You are forgiven," said the King, "and now, Gyard, search him and take from his pockets $3.75." "But your Majesty," began the Herald. "Enough, I can't remit the fine, and if you have the money you must pay it." In a jiffy Private Swash Buckler had fished $3.75 in nickels and dimes from the Herald's pockets and handed it to the King. "And now me vartuous subjects, give three cheers for your noble and generous king, and we will enter the City." "Hurrah! hurrah!" cried the people--even the Herald gave three feeble toots on his horn. "Good-bye," said Billy, hoping that by this gentle hint they would understand that he did not desire their company any further. Indeed he felt uneasy about the few coppers in his own pockets in the presence of such a free handed King. "Not so fast, me young friend," said the King; "you must come with us." "Truly, your Majesty, I haven't the time," said Billy. "I didn't ask you for the time," said the King, "so whether you have it or haven't it you'll have to take it--forward!" And Billy found himself in the grasp of Private Swash Buckler, and being led in the direction of the City. They hadn't far to go, and in spite of their naturally slow progress with such sorry steeds, Billy soon found himself within the gates. And oh! what a place. Dirty, miry streets, pigs every place, tumbledown, leaky roofed houses and ragged people. And the palace--well, Billy would never in the world have known it for a palace if the King hadn't told him it was. It was simply a larger, dirtier, more tumbledown house than any of the others, with more and fatter pigs in the front yard. "Bring in the prisoner, Gyard," said the King, dismounting and picking his way up the tottering steps. "Prisoner," cried Billy, "what have I done to be made a prisoner?"