Page:Chesterton--The Napoleon of Notting Hill.djvu/225

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The Correspondent of the Court Journal


reverently from the folds of the King's frock-coat, and said bewildered—

"I am afraid, your Majesty—"

"Oh, you've got no enterprise," said Auberon. "What's that roll in the corner? Wall-paper? Decorations for your private residence? Art in the home, Pally? Fling it over here, and I'll paint such posters on the back of it that when you put it up in your drawing-room you'll paste the original pattern against the wall." And the King unrolled the wall-paper, spreading it over the whole floor. "Now give me the scissors," he cried, and took them himself before the other could stir.

He slit the paper into about five pieces, each nearly as big as a door. Then he took a big blue pencil and went down on his knees on the dusty oil-cloth, and began to write on them, in huge letters—

"FROM THE FRONT.

GENERAL BUCK DEFEATED.

DARKNESS, DANGER, AND DEATH.

WAYNE SAID TO BE IN PUMP STREET.

FEELING IN THE CITY."

He contemplated it for some time, with his head on one side, and got up, with a sigh.

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