"It appears to be meant for you, Chancellor," said the King quietly, passing on the note to him. "You see?"
Turbo took it and read it through with deliberation. "It was intended for me, sire," he said imperturbably.
"Then the beggar who was guilty of this crime," said the King, with affected calm, "is no other than the High Chancellor of Oneiria."
"Your majesty's conjecture is perfectly correct," replied Turbo, who saw that all hope of concealment was now at an end.
"Before Heaven, this is too much!" exclaimed Kophetua, still in a well-controlled voice, but growing white with anger. "General Dolabella, you will arrest his excellency."
The General came forward with an uneasy air to receive the Chancellor's sword. Turbo drew it quietly from its sheath, and presented it with elaborate politeness.
"Shall I take his excellency's parole?" asked the General, "or will your majesty?"
"Neither, sir," answered the King. "You will call a guard, and remove him to the Tower immediately."
The General, after looking at the King for a moment in blank amazement, bowed, and despatched the officer for some files of the Palace Watch. A distressing silence followed his departure, which Turbo seemed to enjoy immensely, till at last he broke it himself.
"I do not wish," said he, with affected humility, "to complain of your majesty's vigour. In my old pupil I can only warmly admire it. But as your majesty has adopted this spirited course, I would beg the privilege of the meanest prisoner, and demand on what charge I am arrested."
"You may inform the prisoner," said the King, addressing Dolabella, "that he is arrested on confession of murder and abduction."
"Your majesty is extremely kind," answered Turbo, "and it is only right that I should show my sense of your clemency by letting you know that you are acting in error both of law and fact."
"I must beg," said Kophetua, "that all further communication between us shall be made through the proper channel."
"As your majesty pleases," replied the Chancellor. "But as your experience in these matters is not extensive, I thought I could save your majesty from an undignified position, and from the publication of matters which you would prefer to have concealed. If you would read this note, sire, you would see at once what I mean."