London , 1855 . -LSB- Illustration : Page 72 -RSB- The ambassador bowed . `` Well , we asked him where he killed the Firedrake , and he said in a garden near Gluckstein . Then he began to speak about the reward , and the ` perkisits , ' as he called them , which it seems he had read about in my proclamation . Rather a neat thing ; drew it up myself , '' added his majesty . `` Very much to the point , '' said the ambassador , wondering what the king was coming to . `` Glad you like it , '' said the king , much pleased . `` Well , where was I ? Oh , yes ; your man said he had killed the creature in a garden , quite near Gluckstein . I did n't much like the whole affair : he is an alien , you see ; and then there was my niece , Molinda -- poor girl , she was certain to give trouble . Her heart is buried , if I may say so , with poor Alphonso . But the queen is a very remarkable woman -- very remarkable -- '' `` Very ! '' said the ambassador , with perfect truth . '' ` Caitiff ! ' she cries to your butler , '' his majesty went on ; '' ` perjured knave , thou liest in thy throat ! Gluckstein is a hundred leagues from here , and how say est thou that thou slewest the molester , and earnest hither in a few hours ' space ? ' This had not occurred to me , -- I am a plain king , but I at once saw the force of her majesty 's argument . Yes , ' said I ; ` how did you manage it ? ' But he -- your man , I mean -- was not a bit put out . ` Why , your majesty , ' says he , ' I just sat down on that there bit of carpet , wished I was here , and here I ham .
And I 'd be glad , having had the trouble , -- and my time not being my own , -- to see the colour XXXXX them perkisits , according to the proclamation . '
at from if in like near of on that to