e finding of the ring.
Come, we'll take him before the King's household.

BOTH CONSTABLES.

Very good, master. Get on with you, you cutpurse.

[_All move on_.

SUPERINTENDENT.

Now attend, Suchaka; keep your guard here at the gate; and hark
ye, sirrahs, take good care your prisoner does not escape, while
I go in and lay the whole story of the discovery of this ring
before the King in person. I will soon return and let you know
his commands.

BOTH CONSTABLES.

Go in, master, by all means; and may you find favour in the
King's sight.

[_Exit_ SUPERINTENDENT. FIRST CONSTABLE.

[_After an interval_.

I say, Januka, the Superintendent is a long time away.

SECOND CONSTABLE.

Aye, aye; kings are not to be got at so easily. Folks must bide
the proper opportunity.

FIRST CONSTABLE.

Januka, my fingers itch to strike the first blow at this royal
victim here. We must kill him with all the honours, you know. I
long to begin binding the flowers round his head[88].

[_Pretends to strike a blow at the_ FISHERMAN.

FISHERMAN.

Your Honour surely will not put an innocent man to a cruel death.

SECOND CONSTABLE.

There's our Superintendent at last, I declare. See! he is coming
towards us with a paper in his hand. We shall soon know the
King's command; so prepare, my fine fellow, either to become food
for the vultures, or to make acquaintance with some hungry cur.

SUPERINTENDENT.

[_Entering_.

Ho, there, Suchaka! set the fisherman at liberty, I tell you. His
story about the ring is all correct. SUCHAKA.

Oh! very good, Sir; as you please.

SECOND CONSTABLE.

The fellow had one foot in hell, and now here he is in the land
of the living.

[_Releases him_.

FISHERMAN.

[_Bowing to the_ SUPERINTENDENT.

Now, master, what think you of my way of getting a livelihood?

SUPERINTENDENT.

Here, my good man, the King desired me to present you with this
purse. It contains a sum of money equal to the full value of the
ring.

[_Gives him the money_.

FISHERMAN.

[_Taking it and bowing_.

His Majesty does me too great honour.

SUCHAKA.

You may well say so. He might as we