"His Majesty bids you welcome," said one of the doll fishes in a sweet voice.

"Be kind enough to enter the royal palace, and our ocean monarch will graciously receive you." "Seems to me," said Trot to the queen, "these things are putting on airs.

Perhaps they don't know we're friends of Anko." "The king insists on certain formalities when anyone visits him," was Aquareine's reply.

"It is right that his dignity should be maintained." They followed their winged conductors to one of the upper openings, and as they entered it Aquareine said in a clear voice, "May the glory and power of the ocean king continue forever!" Then she touched the palm of her hand to her forehead in token of allegiance, and Clia did the same, so Cap'n Bill and Trot followed suit.

The brief ceremony being ended, the child looked curiously around to see what the palace of the mighty Anko was like.
An extensive hall lined with alabaster was before them.