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

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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