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 my death because of an animal. A tiger. A tiger. Ai ja (Alas)." Though extremely downcast, yet he kept a faint hope. His mind fabricated numerous schemes for escape. He had noticed that the Queen seemed extremely fond of a ridiculous little yipping Chou. (The scamp; with his noise he had frightened the poor dog in a manner most scandalous.) While thinking of the Chou, he hit upon an idea that promised much.

Directly after the new guards had been posted, Meng Hu began to yelp dismally. His yelping was enough to bring tears of pity to the soldiers' eyes. It was distressing. Presently a voice said: "O soldiers, my dear little dog is locked up, and I don't know where. Hasten and open all the doors." That voice was the Queen's voice. Every soldier of the guard recognized it. Every soldier hastened along the corridor—slip slap, slip slap—opening doors. One and all they hastened to free the Queen's dear little pet Chou.

The Queen's voice commanded that the doors be opened. Yet, at that very moment