the bottom of it all. What this is I want to
discover."

"I am much interested in puzzles and matters of that kind," said the
Sphinx, "and if you like I will go with you and help to find out what
is wrong in your kingdom."

"All right," said the King. "I shall be glad of your company."

"What is the meaning of this long line of people following you at
regular distances?" asked the Sphinx.

"Give it up," said the King.

The Sphinx laughed.

"I don't mind telling you," said the King, "of my own free will, and
not in answer to any question, that these men form a line of
communication between me and my kingdom, where matters, I fear, must
be going on worse than ever, in my absence."

The two now travelled on together until they came to a high hill,
from which they could see, not very far away, a large city.

"That city," said the Sphinx, "is the capital of an extensive
country. It is governed by a king of mingled sentiments. Suppose we
go there. I think you will find a government that is rather
peculiar."

The King consented, and they walked down the hill toward the city.

"How did the King get his sentiments mingled?" asked the King.

"I really don't know how it began," said the Sphinx, "but the King,
when a young man, had so many sentiments of different kinds, and he
mingled them up so much, that no one could ever tell exactly what he
thought on any particular subject. Of course, his people gradually
got into the same frame of mind, and you never can know in this
kingdom exactly what people think or what they are going to do. You
will find all sorts of people here: giants, dwarfs, fairies, gnomes,
and personages of that kind, who have been drawn here by the mingled
sentiments of the people. I, myself, came into these parts because
the people every now and then take a great fancy to puzzles and
riddles."

On entering the city, the King was cordially welcomed by his brother
sovereign, to whom he told his story; and he was lodged in a room in
the palace. Such of his followers as came within the limits of the
city were entertained by the persons near to whose houses they found
themselves when the line halted.

Every day the Sphinx went with him to see the sights of this strange
city. They took long walks through the streets, and sometimes into
the surrounding country--always going one way and returning another,
the Sphinx being very careful never to bring the King back by the
same road or street by which the