"The conceit is very novel, is it not, my lord?" she said, turning to
Baron Burleigh.

"Novel, indeed, and passing marvellous if achieved, your Majesty," was
the suave reply.

"How write you sounds with this device, Master Droop?" she asked.

"Why, thusly, ma'am--your Majesty," said Droop, with renewed courage.
"One speaketh, you wot--talketh-like into this hole--this aperture." He
turned and pointed to the mouth-piece of the instrument, which was still
in Sir Percevall's hands. "Hevin' done this, you wot, this little
pin-like pricketh or scratcheth the wax, an' the next time you go over
the thing, there you are!"

Conscious of the lameness of this explanation, Droop hurried on, hoping
to forestall further questions.

"Let me show ye, my liege, how she works, in sooth," he said, taking the
phonograph from the knight. Looking all about, he could see nothing at
hand whereon to conveniently rest the device.

"Marry, you wouldn't mind ef I was to set this right here on your
table, would ye, my liege?" he asked.

Permission was graciously accorded, and, depositing the phonograph,
Droop hurried back to get his records. Holding a wax cylinder in one
hand, he proceeded.

"Now, your Majesty can graciously gaze on this wax cylinder," he said.
"On here we hev scrawled--written--a tune played by a cornet. It is
'Home, Sweet Home.' Ye've heerd it, no doubt?"

"Nay, the title is not familiar," said the Queen, looking about her.
With one accord, the courtiers shook their heads in corroboration.

"Is that so? Well, well! Why, every boy and gal in America knows that
tune well!" said Droop.

He adjusted the cylinder and a small brass megaphone, and, having wound
the motor, pressed the starting-button. Almost at once a stentorian
voice rang through the apartment:

"Home, Sweet Home--Cornet Solo--By Signor Paolo Morituri--Edison
Record."

The sudden voice, issuing from the dead revolving cylinder, was so
unexpected and startling that several of the ladies screamed and at
least one gentleman pensioner put his hand to his sword-hilt. Elizabeth
herself started bolt upright and turned pale under her rouge as she
clutched the arms of her chair. Before she could express her feelings
the cornet solo began, and the entire audience gradually resumed its
wonted serenity before the close of the air.

"Marvellous beyond telling!" exclaimed Elizabeth, in delight. "Why, this
contrivance of yours, Master Droop, shall make your name an