131 131 CHAPTER XXIV THE ROYAL AND OFFICIAL COUNCIL In the meantime, as may readily be imagined, there was a sad time at the palace of the King of Gee-Whiz. The Widow Pickle threatened to upset the royal household if her Twins were not brought back before sundown of that day. No trace could be found of the royal shadow, nor could any one tell what had become of the wooden leg of the Royal Army. The Private Secretary was almost frantic over all these difficulties, and the Court Physician was also at his wits' end, seeking for some remedy for the strange disease of the King, which had 132caused him to lose his shadow, this being a thing which he could not find mentioned in any of the medical works which he habitually consulted. 132 "Oh, my poor head! My poor head!" said the King. "And to think that my poor, dear shadow may have quite as bad a headache for all I know! Oh, dear, was ever so unhappy a King as I! Jiji, play for me, and see if you cannot do something to settle my poor nerves." The Private Secretary went into his apartment, but presently returned and fell prostrate upon his face. "O, King," cried he, "I am the most wretched servant that ever disappointed a royal master!" "Why, what is the matter now? What is the matter?" asked the King. "Has anything else gone wrong?" "O, King," said the Private Secretary, "I regret to say that the Enchanted Banjo has disappeared from my apartments in the royal palace." "Ah!" cried the King of Gee-Whiz, as he heard the news. "This is almost too much! I begin to feel so strange that I really think I shall have to send for the Court Headsman." As the King of Gee-Whiz said this, he fixed a stern eye upon the unfortunate Private Secretary; who, as must be plain to all, had not been in the least to blame for any of these unhappy events. 133"I beg to suggest, your Majesty," said the Private Secretary, "that you send for the Court Detective instead." 133 "If in your opinion he can be of the slightest service," replied the King, "then pray have him come and set to work at once." So the Court Detective came and was admitted to the presence of the
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