“The man is not of the court,” answered the Duke; “take my word for that.  He himself clandestinely into the ball, and himself off for Prince Julian.  I forced him to unmask, and detected the impostor, but he escaped me.  I have informed the Lord Chamberlain; off with him to the palace!  You have made a fine prize!”

With these words the Duke strode back to his carriage, and once more urging them not to let the villains escape, gave orders to drive on.

The Prince saw no chance left.  To reveal himself now would be to make his night’s adventures the talk of the whole city.  He thought it better to disclose his incognito to the Chamberlain or the Minister of Police.  “Since it must be so, come on then,” he said; and the party marched forward, keeping a firm hand on the two prisoners.

XIV.

Phipip was not sure whether he was bewitched, or whether the whole business was not a dream, for it was a night such as he had never passed before in his life.  He had nothing to blame himself for except that he had changed clothes with the Prince, and then, whether he would or no, been forced to support his character.  He felt pretty safe, for it was the princely watchman who had been at fault, and he saw no occasion for his being committed.  His heart beat, however, when they came to the palace.  His coat, horn, and staff were taken from him.  Julian spoke a few words to a young nobleman, and immediately the policemen were sent away.  The Prince ascended the stairs, and Philip had to follow.

“Fear nothing,” said Julian, and left him.  Philip was taken to a little ante-room, where he had to wait a good while.  At last one of the royal grooms came to him, and said:  “Come this way; the King will see you.”

Philip was distracted with fear.  His knees shook so that he could hardly walk.  He was led into a splendid chamber.  The old King was sitting at a table, and laughing long and load; near him stood Prince Julian without a mask.  Besides these, there was nobody in the room.

The King looked at Philip with a good-humored expression.  “Tell me all—­without missing a syllable—­that you have done to-night.”

Philip took courage from the condescension of the old King, and told the whole story from beginning to end.  He had the good sense, however, to conceal all he had heard among the courtiers that could turn to the prejudice of the Prince.  The King laughed again and again, and at last took two gold-pieces from his pocket and gave them to Philip.  “Here, my son, take these, but say not a word of your night’s adventures.  Await your trial; no harm shall cone of it to you.  Now go, my friend, and remember what I have told you.”

Philip knelt down at the King’s feet and kissed his hand as he stammered some words of thanks.  When he arose, and was leaving the room, Prince Julian said:  “I beseech your Majesty to allow the young man to wait a few minutes outside.  I have some compensation to make to him for the inconvenience he has suffered.”