"Bacon! What! Ay--methinks we know somewhat of this same Francis," said the Queen, grimly. "A member of Parliament, is he not?" "Even so, your Majesty," said Burleigh, somewhat crestfallen. "From this letter I learn," he continued, while Elizabeth shook her head, "that this American--a Master Dupe, I believe----" "No--no--Droop!" cried Rebecca. "Copernicus Droop." The baron bowed. "That this Master Droop desires the grant of a monopoly in----" "A monopoly!" cried Elizabeth. "What! This independent young barrister--this parliamentary meddler in opposition, forsooth! He craveth a monopoly? God's death! A monopoly in all the impudence in this our realm is of a surety this fellow's right! We grant it--we grant it. Let the papers be drawn forthwith!" The baron bent before the storm and, bowing, remained silent. Rebecca, however, could scarce see the justice of the Queen's position. "Well, but look here, your Majesty," she said. "'Tain't Mr. Bacon as wants this patent; it's Mr. Droop. Mr. Bacon only gave him a letter to Mr. Burleigh here." Astonishment was depicted in every face save in that of the Queen, whose little eyes were now turned upon her sister sovereign in anger. "Harkye, Lady Rebecca!" she exclaimed. "Is it the custom to take the Queen to task in your realm?" Rebecca's reply came pat. The type was prepared beforehand, and she answered now with a clear conscience. "Why, of course. We talk jest as we feel like to all the queens there is in my country." The equivocation in this reply must have struck the Queen, for she said, without taking her eyes from Rebecca's face: "And, prithee, Lady Rebecca, how many queens be there in America? We begin to doubt if royalty be known there." Again Messer Guido evinced signs of an anxious desire to speak, and Rebecca shrewdly took advantage of this at once. "Messer Guido can tell you all 'bout that, I guess," she said. Elizabeth turned her eyes to the savant. "What knowledge have you of this, learned doctor?" she asked, coldly. "Why, your Majesty," said Guido, with delighted zeal, "the case is plain. Will your Majesty but look at this drawing on one of the inner pages of the printed document brought by the Lady Rebecca? Behold the effigy of a powder canister, with the words 'Royal Baking Powder' thereon. This would appear evidence that in America gunpowder is known and is used by the sovereigns of the various tribes. Here again we see 'The Royal Corset,' and there 'Crown Shirts.' Can it be doubted that the Americans have royal governors?" The Queen's face cleared a little at this, and Guido proceeded with increased animation: "Behold further upon the front page, your Majesty, the effigy of a man wearing a round crown with a peak or projecting shelf over the eyes. Under this we read the legend 'The Czar of the Tenderloin.' Now, your Majesty will remember that the ruler of Muscovy is termed the Czar. The Tenderloin signifieth, doubtless, some order, akin, perchance, to the Garter."