th," continued John. "And when I further tell you that I never
even sent my clothes to the wash, and therefore could not possibly have
lost them there, you will--"

"All right, pull up," said the judge. "That'll do. Keep the rest, my
boy. That makes ten and a half--more than we want. Now, then, the next
thing is, what sort of execution shall we have?"

"Oh, please," said the ladies, "_please_, Harry, darling, let the jury
go out and bring the verdict in. It will be such fun."

"Eh, what?" said Henry, "oh, bother the jury! Where are they? Clear
out, do you hear!" said he, addressing the twelve. "Go up to the
Napoleon room and talk it over, and stay till I send for you."

The jury obeyed, and I was left alone in the dock.

"Now," said the judge, evidently relieved, "let's have the execution."

"But we've not had the verdict yet," said Anne Boleyn.

"That'll do any time," said Henry. "Just as much fun to have it
afterwards. Besides, it's a wonderful saving of time to get the
execution over now, while we're waiting; and then we can go straight to
the refreshment-room. Eh, girls? Eh, what? Ah, I thought so."

"Oh, well," said Catherine of Aragon, "but _do_ put him in the condemned
cell for a minute or so, and then have him brought out, like they all
are, and--"

"_As_ they all are," said Henry the First. "Like is only used when--"

"Hold your tongue, you impertinent, forward young man!" said Catherine
in a rage. "There, now!" added she, beginning to cry, "I've forgotten
what I was going to say, all through you!"

"I think," said Henry the Eighth, waving his hand for silence, "he'd
better be hung. Marwood tells me it's a very pretty sight; and the
gallows are there quite handy. Besides," added he confidentially, "we
should have to tip him in any case, so we may as well let him have the
job, and get what we can for our money. What, eh?"

Every one approved of this, and the executioner was summoned.

Then, as I stood there, shivering in every limb, unable to speak, or
even to move, I was aware once more of the lantern coming towards me,
and of a hand laid heavily on my shoulder.

"Come, young gentleman," said the voice, "wake up--or you'll get locked
in. They're shutting the doors. Tumble up, and look sharp."

It was Madame Tussaud's porter; and I had been fast asleep, after all!

CHAPTER EIGHT.

A STORY OF THE CIVIL WARS.

Sub-Chapter I.

THE INTERRUPTED FEAST.

The Singletons w