"I am afraid, sir," said the Superintendent, speaking gravely, "that this will get me into trouble with the Prefect. May I express a hope that your Majesty will reconsider the matter?" "Oh, no, not at all!" said the King. "Tell the Prefect that the responsibility rests with me. The Prince here is witness that I robbed you and that you were helpless. Lay all the blame upon me without any scruple! And if it is a very grave breach of the regulations--well--you can inform the Prime Minister; and then, no doubt I shall hear of it." The Superintendent stood mute; he had made his protest, and he could not pretend that he was satisfied. "By the way," went on the King, "I have a very particular request to make which I think concerns your department. In connection with a certain incident that took place the other night--and which shall be nameless--one of your special inspectors has been dismissed, I hear?" "That is so, your Majesty." "Well, I do not wish to interfere in anything that makes for efficiency; but I have to request--will you please to make a particular note of it--that he shall be retired on a full pension." For a moment the official hesitated. "May I ask why, sir?" "Because practically I have promised it. It is either that or I re-engage him for my own personal service. He is a man whom I have trusted in matters of an exceedingly confidential character. Pray see to it." The head of the department could hold out no longer. "It shall be as your Majesty wishes," said he. "Very well," said the King. "Please report when you have seen the matter through. And now, Prince, I think that we have exhausted everything--including, I fear, your patience, Mr. Superintendent. What a very criminal part of society you have to deal with! I hope that the influences of the place are not catching." "As to that, sir, I can hardly say," replied the other with a wry smile. "Your Majesty has just committed a robbery which I shall have to report; the first that has ever taken place in this department." "Oh, surely not quite the first!" protested the King. Then he checked himself. "Well, if that is so, you can but take out an order for my arrest. And you will find," he added slyly, "that I am already well known to the police." And so saying, he and the Prince took their departure. IV But if the King was satisfied with his morning's exploit--a raid so successfully conducted--he had harassment to face before the day was over. His message to Council, on the matter of the Women Chartists and their grievances, was received by the Prime Minister not only with disfavor but with a clear though respectful intimation that it would not be allowed to effect the ministerial program. "I must remind you, Mr. Prime Minister," said his Majesty, "that the Constitution gives me this right." "That, sir, I do not question. But it gives to us also a discretion as to when time can be found for attending to it."