Стража! Стража!

           "The,er,"saidtheheadmerchant.

           "Theking,"repeatedWonse.Hisvoicesoundedonedribbleawayfrommadness.

           "Oh.Theking.Right,"saidthemerchant.Fromwherehewassittinghehadagoodviewofthebighangingthing.Thereseemedtobesomemovementthere,sometremblinginthegreatfoldsthatwrappedit."Longlifetohim,sayI,"headdedquickly.

           Thefirstcoursewassoupwithdumplingsinit.Wonsedidn’thaveany.Therestofthemateinaterrifiedsilencebrokenonlybythedullchimingofwoodonchina.

           "Therearecertainmattersofdecreetowhichthekingfeelsyourassentwouldbewelcome,"saidWonse,eventually."Apureformality,ofcourse,andIamsorrytobotheryouwithsuchpettydetail."

           Thebigbundleappearedtoswayinthebreeze.

           "Notroubleatall,"squeakedtheheadthief.

           "Thekinggraciouslydesiresittobeknown,"saidWonse,"thatitwouldbepleasedtoreceivecoronationgiftsfromthepopulationatlarge.Nothingcomplex,ofcourse.Simplyanypreciousmetalsorgemstheymighthavebythemandcaneasilyspare.Ishouldstress,bytheway,thatthisisbynomeanscompulsory.Suchgenerosityasheisconfidentofexpectingshouldbeanentirelyvoluntaryact."

           Thechiefassassinlookedsadlyattheringsonhisfingers,andsighed.Theheadmerchantwasalreadyresignedlyunshippinghisgiltchainofofficefromaroundhisneck.

           "Why,gentlemen!"saidWonse."Thisismostunexpected!"

           "Um,"saidtheArchchancellorofUnseenUniversity.