This seal he also scrutinized, still smiling a little; and then he burst that; and when he had taken off that covering, a folded piece of paper fell out.

This he unfolded, and spread flat with his fingers; and there was nothing written on that side; then he turned it over, and shewed me how there was nothing written on that either.

So the message I had borne about me, was nothing in the world but a piece of blank paper.
I drew a long breath when I saw that; for my anger surged up at the way I had been fooled; but before I could think of anything to say, the King spoke.
"Mr.Mallock," he said, "you have done very well.

You understand it now, eh ?" "No, Sir; I do not," I said.
"Why; it is a very old trick;" went on His Majesty, "to see if a messenger will be faithful.

Your folks did it first, I think, in Queen Bess her reign; so as to risk nothing.