ut empty space, and, staggering in the darkness, cried loudly for the
help 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 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.

"A 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."

"I tell you that a man was in this room a moment ago."

"Sire, Your Majesty is never mistaken; if a man was in this room he
is still here, unless he has flown through the window or Your Majesty
has been dreaming."

"Fool, do I look like a man who has been dreaming? Did I overturn this
lamp? did I tear these papers?"

"Sire, I am nothing but a worm of the earth; God forbid that I should
contradict my sovereign. Your majesty does not hire me to give him the
lie. But this year strange dreams are an epidemic. No one knows what
he may do or suffer in his sleep. Only just now I was overtaken with
sleep in spite of myself, and if I were not sure that I was dreaming I
should declare that an invisible hand boxed my ears twice, at which I
awakened with a start."

"It was the specter!" said the king.

"Your Majesty is right," replied Rachimburg; "I am nothing but a
simpleton; it was the specter."

"And I did not know her!" resumed Charming. "Nevertheless, it was her
voice and air. What does this mean? Is it a new insult? Is it a
warning from heaven? Does some danger threaten me? No matter, I will
remain in my kingdom. My friend, not a word of all this: take this
purse and keep the secret."

"That makes the third," murmured the faithful Rachimburg, as he
undressed the king with a zeal and address which several times made
His Majesty smile.

So many emotions one after another banished sleep; it was daybreak
before the prince dozed, and broad daylight before he awoke. In the
first moment b