hich followed this
episode, for unfortunately, just then, I felt myself disappearing, and
had only just time to incline my head respectfully to the King and Queen
before I had vanished."

"But," I remarked, when Shin Shira left off speaking, "you haven't told
me yet how you came to get the title of 'Doctor.'"

"Oh, that's all part of the same story," said Shin Shira, refilling his
pipe; "it has a sequel. About seven months after the events which I have
narrated" (you'll have noticed that Shin Shira loved using long words
when he could), "I found myself again in the same country, and I thought
I could not leave it without paying my respects to the amiable King and
Queen; so, one fine afternoon, I made my way up to the Castle.

[Illustration]

"I found the King in his counting-house, industriously counting out his
money. He left off when he saw me, though, and came forward to greet me
heartily.

"'The Queen, bless her! will be as delighted to see you as I am,' said
he; 'we'll go and find her. I fancy I know where she is.'

"He led the way at once to the parlour, and there we found her Majesty
looking sweet and amiable as ever.

"She was rather confused at being discovered in the act of eating some
bread and honey.

"'I am suffering from a very poor appetite,' her Majesty explained,
after she had made me welcome, 'and have eaten nothing at all to-day,
and just now I fancied a little honey, for which I have a great liking.'

"'I hope your Majesty is not unwell, that your appetite is so feeble?' I
inquired with great solicitation.

"'Oh no!' replied the Queen, with an effort at brightness; 'I'm a little
worried, that's all.'

"'We're all worried, more or less,' chimed in the King. '_You_ remember
that blackbird pie, don't you?'

"'Yes, your Majesty, of course I do,' said I, smiling at the
recollection.

"'Well, those birds, the ones which were put into it, have become very
spiteful and dangerous. They have taken to haunting the precincts of the
Castle, and attack the servants when they go into the garden,
particularly the laundry maids; for, when they go into the garden to
hang out the clothes, they have to use both hands to do so, and then
these wretched birds fly down and peck at their noses. One poor creature
lost hers altogether, with the result that all of the maids have given
notice, and we can't get laundry maids for love or money.'

"'It's very trying,' said the Queen; 'the poor King has to wear his