`` It would be a miracle , '' she said to herself , `` and miracles do not happen ; therefore this has not happened . Presently , I shall wake up in my own bed at Falkenstein . '' Now , Benson , William , and Thomas brought in the coffee , but the queen took no notice . When they went away , the rest of the company slipped off quietly , and the king was left alone with the ambassador ; for the queen could hardly be said to count . -LCB- The King and Queen : p99.jpg -RCB- `` You want to know all about it , I suppose ? '' said his majesty , in a sulky voice . `` Well , you have a right to it , and I shall tell you . We were just sitting down to dinner at Falkenstein , rather late , -- hours get later every year , I think -- when I heard a row in the premises , and the captain of the guard , Colonel McDougal , came and told us that a man had arrived with the horns and tail of the Firedrake , and was claiming the reward . Her majesty and I rose and went into the outer court , where we found , sitting on that carpet with a glass of beer in his hand , a respectable - looking upper servant , whom I recognised as your butler . He informed us that he had just killed the beast , and showed us the horns and tail , sure enough ; there they are ! The tail is like the iron handle of a pump , but the horns are genuine . A pair were thrown up by a volcano , in my great - grandfather 's time , Giglio I. -LCB- 100 -RCB- Excellent coffee this , of yours ! '' 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 XXXXX the whole affair : he is an alien , you see ; and then there was my niece , Molinda -- poor girl , she was certain to give trouble .
about at by for in like near of that with