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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, according 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 13 183
