The sides of the cave were full of shining minerals like those of the palace hall; and the company was evidently of a superior order, for every one wore stones about head, or arms, or waist, shining dull gorgeous colours in the light of the fire.
Nor had Curdie looked long before he recognized the king himself, and found that he had made his way into the inner apartment of the royal family.

He had never had such a good chance of hearing something.

He crept through the hole as softly as he could, scrambled a good way down the wall towards them without attracting attention, and then sat down and listened.

The king, evidently the queen, and probably the crown prince and the Prime Minister were talking together.

He was sure of the queen by her shoes, for as she warmed her feet at the fire, he saw them quite plainly.
'That will be fun!' said the one he took for the crown prince.