 it was unaccountable - so all said
that heard it. The tide was beginning to turn, and Tom Canty's hopes to run
high, when the Lord Protector shook his head and said -
    »It is true it is most wonderful - but it is no more than our lord the king
likewise can do.« This remark, and this reference to himself as still the king,
saddened Tom Canty, and he felt his hopes crumbling from under him. »These are
not proofs,« added the Protector.
    The tide was turning very fast, now, very fast indeed - but in the wrong
direction; it was leaving poor Tom Canty stranded on the throne, and sweeping
the other out to sea. The Lord Protector communed with himself - shook his head
- the thought forced itself upon him, »It is perilous to the state and to us
all, to entertain so fateful a riddle as this; it could divide the nation and
undermine the throne.« He turned and said -
    »Sir Thomas, arrest this - No, hold!« His face lighted, and he confronted
the ragged candidate with this question -
    »Where lieth the Great Seal? Answer me this truly, and the riddle is
unriddled; for only he that was Prince of Wales can so answer! On so trivial a
thing hang a throne and a dynasty!«
    It was a lucky thought, a happy thought. That it was so considered by the
great officials was manifested by the silent applause that shot from eye to eye
around their circle in the form of bright approving glances. Yes, none but the
true prince could dissolve the stubborn mystery of the vanished Great Seal -
this forlorn little impostor had been taught his lesson well, but here his
teachings must fail, for his teacher himself could not answer that question -
ah, very good, very good indeed; now we shall be rid of this troublesome and
perilous business in short order! And so they nodded invisibly and smiled
inwardly with satisfaction, and looked to see this foolish lad stricken with a
palsy of guilty confusion. How surprised they were, then, to see nothing of the
sort happen - how they marveled to hear him answer up promptly, in a confident
and untroubled voice, and say -
    »There is naught in this riddle that is difficult.« Then, without so much as
a by-your-leave to anybody, he turned and gave this command, with the easy
manner of one accustomed to doing such things: »My lord St. John, go you to my
private cabinet in the palace - for none
