' This remark, and this reference to
himself, as still the king, saddened Tom Canty, and he felt his
hopes crumbling from under him.
'These are not proofs,' added the Protector.
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 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
inwardly with satisfaction, and looked to see this foolish lad
stricken with a palsy of guilty confusion.
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