"Treason stalks monster-like throughout unhappy France, my liege!" said the noble Hellitysplit.  "The ranks of the P.Q.R.'s are daily swelling, and the G.R.J.A.'s are constantly on the increase.  Already the peasantry scout at cat-fish, and demand pickled salmon for their noonday repasts.  But, my liege," and the brave Hellitysplit eyes flashed fire, "myself and sword are at thy command?" "Bully for you, Count," said the king.  "But soft: methinks report--perchance unjustly--hast spoken suspiciously of thee, most Royal d'Sardine?  How is this?  Is it a newspaper yarn?  WHAT'S UP?" D'Sardine meekly approached the throne, knelt at the king's feet, and said: "Most patient, gray, and red-headed skinner; my very approved skin-plaster: that I've been asked to drink by the P.Q.R.'s, it is most true, true I have imbibed sundry mugs of lager with them.  The very head and front of my offending hath this extent, no more." "'Tis well!" said the King, rising and looking fiercely around. "Hadst thou proved false I would with my own good sword have cut off yer head, and spilled your ber-lud all over the floor!  If I wouldn't, blow me!" _______________ CHAPTER III.--THE ROVER. Thrilling as the scenes depicted in the preceding chapter indubitably were, those of this are decidedly THRILLINGER.  Again are we in the mighty presence of the King, and again is he surrounded by splendour and gorgeously-mailed courtiers.  A sea-faring man stands before him.  It is Roberto the Rover, disguised as a common sailor. "So," said the King, "thou wouldst have audience with me!" "Aye aye, yer 'onor," said the sailor, "just tip us yer grapplin irons and pipe all hands on deck.  Reef home yer jib poop and splice yer main topsuls.  Man the jibboom and let fly yer top-gallunts.  I've seen some salt water in my days, yer land lubber, but shiver my timbers if I hadn't rather coast among seagulls than landsharks.  My name is Sweet William.  You're old Dick the Three.  Ahoy!  Awast!  Dam my eyes!" and Sweet William pawed the marble floor and swung his tarpaulin after the manner of sailors on the stage, and consequently not a bit like those on shipboard. "Mariner," said the King, gravely, "thy language is exceeding lucid, and leads me to infer that things is workin' bad." "Aye, aye, my hearty!" yelled Sweet William, in dulcet strains, reminding the King of the "voluptuous smell of physic," spoken of by the late Mr. Byron. "What wouldst thou, seafaring man?" asked the King. "This!" cried the Rover, suddenly taking off his maritime clothing and putting on an expensive suit of silk, bespangled with diamonds.  "This!  I am Roberto the Rover!" The King was thunder-struck.  Cowering back in his chair of state, he said in a tone of mingled fear and amazement, "Well, may I be gaul-darned!"