And Mr. Buck sat down amid subdued but excited applause among the allies.
“Mr. Buck,” said the King, “I beg your pardon, for a number of beautiful and sacred thoughts, in which you were generally classified as a fool. But there is another thing to be considered. Suppose you send in your workmen, and Mr. Wayne does a thing regrettable indeed, but of which I am sorry to say, I think him quite capable...knocks their teeth out.”
“I have thought of that, your Majesty,” said Mr. Buck, easily, “and I think it can simply be guarded against. Let us send in a strong guard of say a hundred men...a hundred Of the North Kensington Halberdiers” (he smiled grimly), “of whom your Majesty is so fond. Or say...a hundred and fifty. The whole population of Pump Street, I fancy, is only about a hundred.”
“S
