The charcoal man and his wife listened to this little dispute, and said nothing. They were just rising from the table when they heard a great noise in the street. Then there was a knock at the door. Before Mrs. Jacquot could open it, some one called out, "Is this the house of Jacquot, the charcoal man?" "That is my tutor," whispered the little stranger. "He has come after me." Then he slipped quickly under the table and hid himself. "Don't tell him I am here," he said softly. In a few minutes the room was filled with gentlemen. They were all dressed very finely, and some of them carried swords. A tall man who wore a long red cloak seemed to be the leader of the company. He said to a soldier who stood at the door, "Tell your story again." "Well," said the soldier, "about two hours ago I was on guard at the gate of the queen's park. This charcoal man, whom I know very well, ran past me with a child in his arms. I did not--" "That will do, sir," said the man in red. "Now, you charcoal man, where is that child?" "Here!" cried the child himself, darting out from his hiding place. [Illustration] "O your Majesty!" said the man in red. "All your court has been looking for you for the past two hours." "I am glad to hear it, Cardinal Mazarin," [Footnote: Maz a reen'.] said the boy. "Your mother is very anxious." "I am sorry if I have given her trouble. But really, I fell into the pool at the fountain, and this kind man brought me here to get me dry." "Indeed!" said the cardinal. "But I hope you are now ready to come home with us." "I shall go when I please." "Your mother--" "Oh, yes, I know she is anxious, and I will go. But first I must thank these poor people." "Please do so, your Majesty." The boy turned toward the charcoal man and said:--"My friend, I am the king of France. My name is Louis the Fourteenth. I thank you for what you have done for me. You shall have money to buy a larger house and to send your boys to school. Here is my hand to kiss." Then he turned to the cardinal and said, "Now, I am ready. Let us go." Not dressed in that way?" said the cardinal. He had just noticed that the king was wearing poor Charlot's Sunday suit instead of his own. "Why not?" answered the little king. "Think what your mother would say if she saw you in the clothes of a poor man's son." said the cardinal. "Think of what all the fine ladies would say." "Let them say what they please, I am not going to change my clothes." As the little king went out, he turned at the door and called to Charlot. "Come to the palace to-morrow," he said, "and you shall have your clothes. You may bring mine with you." Louis the Fourteenth became king of France when he was only five years old. He was called "the Fourteenth" because there had been thirteen other kings before him who bore the name of Louis. In history he is often called the Grand Monarch. WHICH WAS THE KING?