Stranica 225 [225]
KING BIZARRE AND PRINCE CHARMING
that did not come. Such a thing could not have happened
in a minister’s house; kings are always worse guarded.
VIII
THE END OF A DREAM
At last a door opened and Rachimburg entered, accord¬
ing to etiquette, to undress the king. The faithful servant
appeared greatly vexed to find him without a light, groping
along the wall.
“Where is that infernal doctor?" asked Charming,
foaming with rage.
“It is more than an hour, sire, since His Excellency
3
quitted the palace.’
“Who is talking of Wieduwillst?”’ cried the king. " Which
way did the villain go that just insulted me?”’
Rachimburg looked at the prince with a contrite air,
and raised his eyes to heaven, sighing.
"SA man went out of the door that leads to your rooms, "
said Charming. "How did he enter, and where has he
fled?”
"Sire," said Rachimburg, “I have neither quitted my post
nor seen any one.
“T tell you that a man was in this room a moment
95
ago.
Sire, Your Majesty is never mistaken; if a man was in
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