And all this was so annoying to the high counselors that several times one of them took up some object in the room with the intention of hurling it at Jikki’s head; but before he could throw it the old servant had nervously turned away and left the room. Tellydeb, the lord high executioner, would often sigh: “I wish there were some law that would permit me to chop off Jikki’s head.” But then Tullydub, the chief counselor, would say gloomily; “There is no law but the king’s will, and he insists that Jikki be allowed to live.” So they were forced to bear with Jikki as best they could; but after the king breathed his last breath the old servant became more nervous and annoying than ever. Hearing that the king was dead, Jikki made a rush for the door of the bell-tower, but tripped over the foot of Tollydob and fell upon the marble floor so violently that his bones rattled, and he picked himself up half dazed by the fall. “Where are you going?” asked Tollydob. “To toll the bell for the king’s death,” answered Jikki. [Illustration: “‘WHERE ARE YOU GOING?’ ASKED TOLLYDOB.”] “Well, remain here until we give you permission to go,” commanded the lord high general. “But the bell ought to be tolled!” said Jikki. “Be silent!” growled the lord high purse-bearer. “We know what ought to be done and what ought not to be done.” But this was not strictly true. In fact, the five high counselors did not know what ought to be done under these strange circumstances. If they told the people the king was dead, and did not immediately appoint his successor, then the whole population would lose faith in them and fall to fighting and quarreling among themselves as to who should become king; and that would never in the world do. No; it was evident that a new king must be chosen before they told the people that the old king was dead. But whom should they choose for the new king? That was the important question. While they talked of these matters, the ever-active Jikki kept rushing in and saying: “Hadn’t I better toll the bell?” “No!” they would shout in a chorus; and then Jikki would rush out again. So they sat and thought and counseled together during the whole long night, and by morning they were no nearer a solution of the problem than before. At daybreak Jikki stuck his head into the room and said: “Hadn’t I better—” “No!” they all shouted in a breath. “Very well,” returned Jikki; “I was only going to ask if I hadn’t better get you some breakfast.” “Yes!” they cried, again in one breath. “And shall I toll the bell?” “No!” they screamed; and the lord high steward threw an inkstand that hit the door several seconds after Jikki had closed it and disappeared. While they were at breakfast they again discussed their future action in the choice of a king; and finally the chief counselor had a thought that caused him to start so suddenly that he nearly choked. “The book!” he gasped, staring at his brother counselors in a rather wild manner.