He called loudly and
knocked upon the door, and finally the old sexton, asleep on the
outside, heard the noise and shouted: "Who is there?" And the king
answered: "It is I--the king. Open the door!"
The old sexton shook his head and murmured to himself: "It must be some
madman locked in the church," but he unlocked the door, and the king
rushed wildly out--on out in the street, where the moonlight fell upon
him. Then suddenly he stopped and gazed at his clothes in amazement, for
instead of wearing his royal robes he wore nothing but rags. His crown
was gone, and he seemed a beggar, and he cried out: "How can these
things be? Some one has robbed me while I have slept, and left me these
rags."
Then he rushed on to the great castle, and at the gate he again called:
"Open! I, the king, am here." The great gate swung open and the king
rushed on through the great castle halls, never pausing until he reached
the throne room, and there he stopped and stood looking in surprise and
amazement, for there on his throne sat another king, wearing his crown
and wearing his robes, and holding in his hand his scepter.
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