THE SEA-SERPENT Just then Trot happened to look up at the glass roof and saw a startling sight.

A big head with a face surrounded by stubby gray whiskers was poised just over them, and the head was connected with a long, curved body that looked much like a sewer pipe.
"Oh, there is King Anko," said the Queen, following the child's gaze.

"Open a door and let him in, Clia, for I suppose our old friend is anxious to see the earth people." "Won't he hurt us ?" asked the little girl with a shiver of fear.
"Who, Anko?
Oh no, my dear! We are very fond of the sea serpent, who is king of this ocean, although he does not rule the mermaids.

Old Anko is a very agreeable fellow, as you will soon discover." "Can he talk ?" asked Trot.
"Yes indeed." "And can we understand what he says ?" "Perfectly," replied the Queen.

"I have given you power, while you remain here, to understand the language of every inhabitant of the sea." "That's nice," said Trot gratefully.
The Princess Clia swam slowly to one of the walls of the throne room where, at a wave of her hand, a round hole appeared in the coral.
The sea serpent at once observed this opening and the head left the roof of glass only to reappear presently at the round hole.