Part 4 (2/2)
”You may,” said Frank so earnestly that his chums wondered whether he knew more about the queer happenings than they did. ”We will say nothing.”
”It will all come out right in the end,” went on the man with the crown.
”Which way was he going?”
”He seemed headed in this direction,” replied Fenn.
”Then he will arrive in time for the audience,” said the King of Paprica. ”I must bid you farewell now,” and with that he went into the hut and closed the door after him.
The boys stood for a few seconds gazing at the silent cabin with it's odd inscription, and then Bart exclaimed:
”Come on! Let's get out of here. First thing you know we'll be getting crazy ourselves. This place isn't safe!”
He hurried on through the woods and the others followed.
”What do you make of it?” asked Ned.
”Why, it's plain enough,” spoke Frank. ”The old man we met first is crazy, and this one is his keeper. He's brought him out here into the woods to cure him, and he probably has to humor him by pretending to be a king. That's all there is to it. I've often read of such cases.”
”Seems to me you're fond of reading about lunatics,” said Bart.
”I am. I read all I can on such cases. It is very fascinating.”
”Excuse me,” broke in Ned. ”I'd rather have something cheerful.”
”Oh, but you have no idea what strange fancies some of the unfortunates have,” said Frank earnestly. In his eyes there glowed a strange light, and his chums, looking at him, felt he had more than ever that queer air of mystery about him.
”Well, we'd better be moving faster than this or we'll be held up again by the King of Paprica's guard,” spoke Ned. ”I think you're wrong about it, Frank.”
”How do you mean?”
”I think both those chaps are crazy. It's a puzzle to tell which one is worse.”
”I agree with you,” said Bart. ”I wouldn't want to meet either one of them here alone in the woods after dark.”
”Nonsense,” exclaimed Frank. ”Why, a lunatic is the easiest person in the world to get along with. All you have to do is to humor him.”
”Let him kill you if he feels so disposed?” suggested Fenn.
”No, but if you should meet one, and he asks you to let him shoot you, fall in with his idea.”
”Hand him a gun, eh, Frank?” asked Bart.
”No, but, after he sees you are not going to oppose him, incidentally suggest that the moon is in the wrong quarter for a successful killing, or that the hour has not yet arrived, or that you have nine lives like a cat and that he had much better murder some one who has only one life.
Ten chances to one he'll agree with you and let you alone.”
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