The King in Yellow

by Robert W. Chambers

  THE THRONG

  There, where the throng was thickest in the street, I stood with Pierrot.All eyes were turned on me.

  "What are they laughing at?" I asked, but he grinned, dusting the chalkfrom my black cloak. "I cannot see; it must be something droll, perhapsan honest thief!"

  All eyes were turned on me.

  "He has robbed you of your purse!" they laughed.

  "My purse!" I cried; "Pierrot--help! it is a thief!"

  They laughed: "He has robbed you of your purse!"

  Then Truth stepped out, holding a mirror. "If he is an honest thief,"cried Truth, "Pierrot shall find him with this mirror!" but he onlygrinned, dusting the chalk from my black cloak.

  "You see," he said, "Truth is an honest thief, she brings you back yourmirror."

  All eyes were turned on me.

  "Arrest Truth!" I cried, forgetting it was not a mirror but a purse Ilost, standing with Pierrot, there, where the throng was thickest in thestreet.