KING ARTHUR'S COURT The moment I got a chance I slipped aside privately and touched an ancient common looking man on the shoulder and said, in an insinuating, confidential way: "Friend, do me a kindness.

Do you belong to the asylum, or are you just on a visit or something like that ?" He looked me over stupidly, and said: "Marry, fair sir, me seemeth--" "That will do," I said; "I reckon you are a patient." I moved away, cogitating, and at the same time keeping an eye out for any chance passenger in his right mind that might come along and give me some light.

I judged I had found one, presently; so I drew him aside and said in his ear: "If I could see the head keeper a minute--only just a minute--" "Prithee do not let me." "Let you _what_ ?" "_Hinder_ me, then, if the word please thee better.

Then he went on to say he was an under-cook and could not stop to gossip, though he would like it another time; for it would comfort his very liver to know where I got my clothes.

As he started away he pointed and said yonder was one who was idle enough for my purpose, and was seeking me besides, no doubt.