y, a great deal of money."

"That is your business," answered the prince.

But already the park gates were opening to the formidable motor-car.

The dinner was sumptuous. They toasted the Dragon's crest. Everybody
knows that a closed goblet is a sign of sovereignty; so Prince
Crucho and Princess Gudrune, his wife, drank out of goblets that were
covered-over like ciboriums. The prince had his filled several times
with the wines of Penguinia, both white and red.

Crucho had received a truly princely education, and he excelled in
motoring, but was not ignorant of history either. He was said to be well
versed in the antiquities and famous deeds of his family; and, indeed,
he gave a notable proof of his knowledge in this respect. As they were
speaking of the various remarkable peculiarities that had been noticed
in famous women.

"It is perfectly true," said he, "that Queen Crucha, whose name I bear,
had the mark of a little monkey's head upon her body."

During the evening Agaric had a decisive interview with three of the
prince's oldest councillors. It was decided to ask for funds from
Crucho's father-in-law, as he was anxious to have a king for son-in-law,
from several Jewish ladies, who were impatient to become ennobled, and,
finally, from the Prince Regent of the Porpoises, who had promised his
aid to the Draconides, thinking that by Crucho's restoration he would
weaken the Penguins, the hereditary enemies of his people. The three
old councillors divided among themselves the three chief offices of the
Court, those of Chamberlain, Seneschal, and High Steward, and authorised
the monk to distribute the other places to the prince's best advantage.

"Devotion has to be rewarded," said the three old councillors.

"And treachery also," said Agaric.

"It is but too true," replied one of them, the Marquis of Sevenwounds,
who had experience of revolutions.

There was dancing, and after the ball Princess Gudrune tore up her green
robe to make cockades. With her own hands she sewed a piece of it on the
monk's breast, upon which he shed tears of sensibility and gratitude.

M. de Plume, the prince's equerry, set out the same evening to look for
a green horse.

III. THE CABAL

After his return to the capital of Penguinia, the Reverend Father
Agaric disclosed his projects to Prince Adelestan des Boscenos, of whose
Draconian sentiments he was well aware.

The prince belonged to the highest nobility. The Torticol de