ty
problem before me to invent some way to destroy the mermaids or put
them out of existence. And it will require some thought."

"Also, it will require some power you do not possess," suggested the
Queen.

"That may be," replied Zog softly. "But I am going to experiment,
and I believe I shall be able to cause you a lot of pain and sorrow
before I finally make an end of you. I have not lived twenty-seven
thousand years, Aquareine, without getting a certain amount of
wisdom, and I am more powerful than you suspect."

"You are a monster and a wicked magician," said the Mermaid Queen.

"I am," agreed Zog, "but I cannot help it. I was created part man,
part bird, part fish, part beast and part reptile, and such a
monstrosity could not be otherwise than wicked. Everybody hates me,
and I hate everybody."

"Why don't you kill yourself?" asked Trot.

"I've tried that and failed," he answered. "Only one being in the
world has power to destroy me, and that is King Anko, the sea
serpent."

"Then you'd better let him do it," advised the little girl.

"No. Much as I long to die, I cannot allow King Anko the pleasure of
killing me. He has always been my worst enemy, and it would be such
a joy to him to kill me that I really cannot allow him. Indeed, I
have always hoped to kill Anko. I have now been three thousand six
hundred and forty-two years, eleven months and nine days figuring
out a plan to destroy old Anko, and as yet I have not discovered a
way."

"I'd give it up, if I were you," advised Trot. "Don't you think you
could get some fun out of trying to be good?"

"No!" cried Zog, and his voice was not so soft as before. "Listen,
Aquareine, you and your attendants shall be prisoners in this castle
until I can manage to stop you from living. Rooms will be placed at
your disposal, and I wish you to go to them at o nce, as I am tired
of looking at you."

"You're no more tired than we are," remarked Trot. "It's lucky you
can't see yourself, Zog."

He turned his glowing eyes full upon her. "The worst of my queer
body I keep concealed," he said. "If ever you see it, you will
scream with terror." He touched a bell beside him, and the girl was
surprised to find how clearly its tones rang out through the water.
In an instant the boy Sacho appeared and bowed low before his
dreadful master. "Take the mermaids and the child to the Rose
Chamber," commanded Zog, "and take the old man-fish to the Peony
Room."

Sacho turned to