A Cruel Bird Came to the Nest and Looked In

Chapter 25

As the clock struck ten, Shrike opened the register.

‘Let us begin,’ he said. ‘Chancellor of the Exchequer?’

‘Present,’ said Sanderling.

‘Postmaster General?’

‘Present,’ said Whimbrel.

‘Astronomer Royal?’

‘Present,’ I said.

‘Comptroller for the Admiralty?’

‘Present,’ said Smew.

‘Surveyor of the Imperial Works?’

‘Present,’ said Mestolone.

‘Pellitory-of-the-Wall?’

‘Present,’ said Wryneck.

‘Principal Composer to the Imperial Court?’

‘Present,’ said Greylag.

‘His Exalted Highness, the Majestic Emperor of the Realms, Dominions, Colonies and Commonwealth of Greater Fallowfields?’

Shrike paused and waited.

Five minutes went slowly by and nothing happened. Then suddenly there was a huge fuss and kerfuffle outside the door.

‘Let us pass!’ demanded an imperious voice. ‘We are the Player King!’