"No admittance," said John.

"Tut, tut!" said the old gentleman. "I'm the King."

John looked at the face on his medal, and sure enough there was a
resemblance. "But, all the same, your Majesty carries a burden,"--here
he pointed to the notice-board,--"and the folks along this road are
mighty particular."

The King smiled and then sighed heavily.

"It's about the Princess, my daughter," said he; "she has not smiled for
a whole year."

"I'll warrant I'd make her," said John.

"I'll warrant you could not," said the King. "She will never smile
again until she is married."

"Then," answered John, "speaking in a humble way, as becomes me, why the
dickens alive don't you marry her up and get done with it?"

The King shook his head.

"There's a condition attached," said he. "Maybe you have heard of the
famous haunted house in Puns'nby Square?"

"I've always gone by the spelling, and pronounced it Ponsonby," said
John.