158 PRINCE RICARDO.

‘Well, Dick, but how do you mean to
do it?”

“Do it ?—nothing simpler! I just take my
Seven-league Boots, run over to Rome, pick up
Prince Charles, put him on the magic carpet,
ily to London, clap the Cap of Darkness on
him so that nobody can see him, set him
down on the throne of his fathers; pick
up the Elector, carry him over to his beloved
‘Hanover, and the trick is done—what they
call a bloodless revolution in the history
books.”

“But if the English don’t like Prince
Charles when they get him?”

“Like him? they’re sure to like him, a
young fellow like that! Besides, I’ll take the
sword with me in case of accidents.”

“But, Dick, it is your father’s rule that you
are never to meddle in the affairs of other
countries, and never to start on an expedition
when he is not at home.”’

“Oh, he won’t mind this time! There’s .
no kind of danger; and I’m sure he will
approve of the principle of the thing. Kings
must stick up for each other. Why, some
electing characters might come here and kick
us out!”

“Your father is not the sort of king who is
kicked out,” said Jaqueline.

But there was no use in talking to Dick.
He made his simple preparations, and an-