"Oh, that's all part of the same story," said Shin Shira, refilling his pipe; "it has a sequel. About seven months after the events which I have narrated" (you'll have noticed that Shin Shira loved using long words when he could), "I found myself again in the same country, and I thought I could not leave it without paying my respects to the amiable King and Queen; so, one fine afternoon, I made my way up to the Castle. [Illustration] "I found the King in his counting-house, industriously counting out his money. He left off when he saw me, though, and came forward to greet me heartily. "'The Queen, bless her! will be as delighted to see you as I am,' said he; 'we'll go and find her. I fancy I know where she is.' "He led the way at once to the parlour, and there we found her Majesty looking sweet and amiable as ever. "She was rather confused at being discovered in the act of eating some bread and honey. "'I am suffering from a very poor appetite,' her Majesty explained, after she had made me welcome, 'and have eaten nothing at all to-day, and just now I fancied a little honey, for which I have a great liking.' "'I hope your Majesty is not unwell, that your appetite is so feeble?' I inquired with great solicitation. "'Oh no!' replied the Queen, with an effort at brightness; 'I'm a little worried, that's all.' "'We're all worried, more or less,' chimed in the King. '_You_ remember that blackbird pie, don't you?' "'Yes, your Majesty, of course I do,' said I, smiling at the recollection. "'Well, those birds, the ones which were put into it, have become very spiteful and dangerous. They have taken to haunting the precincts of the Castle, and attack the servants when they go into the garden, particularly the laundry maids; for, when they go into the garden to hang out the clothes, they have to use both hands to do so, and then these wretched birds fly down and peck at their noses. One poor creature lost hers altogether, with the result that all of the maids have given notice, and we can't get laundry maids for love or money.' "'It's very trying,' said the Queen; 'the poor King has to wear his things much longer than he should, and I have a difficulty in even getting a clean pocket-handkerchief.' "It was a curious difficulty to be in, certainly, and I felt very anxious to help them if I could, so I asked permission to be allowed to visit the servants' hall, and talk to the maids on the subject. "This was readily given, and I spoke to them as earnestly as I could about their good Queen and mistress, and how willing and eager they ought to be to do everything they could for her. "I could see that they felt this keenly themselves, for some of them were in tears when I spoke of the Queen's goodness to everybody about her. "'B--but our precious noses, sir!' sobbed one good-natured girl; 'we can't afford to lose them, can we now?' "'No,' I said, 'but I have thought of a way by which it will be quite safe for you to go into the garden.