it was midnight by now and inside the guildhall there was dancing
there were people wearing clothes from all around the world
tom saw lords in yellow russian coats ladies in moroccan gree turkish dancers in red and gold
everything was like a wonderful dream for him
but while he watched the colourful dancing inside the real little prince was standing outside the gates of the guildhall in rags
let me in he shouted
i am prince edward
the crowd outside enjoyed this very much of course and they moved nearer to see the funny boy
now hear me you dogs the prince cried with tears in his eyes
i am prince edward
prince or not you are a brave boy a voice cried
and now you have a friend
i am miles hendon
a tall strong man pushed his way through the crowd and stood next to edward
he was wearing soldier is clothes and he had a sword
kill him someone shouted and at once the crowd pushed against him
but miles hendon pulled out his sword and fought wildly
men fell here and there but the crowd was strong
it was beginning to fight back when an officer shouted make way for the king is horses
soldiers rode straight through the crowd and up to the gates of the guildhall
everyone ran from the horses and miles hendon took up the prince in his arm
they were soon far away
inside the guildhall there was the sound of a trumpet above the noise of the music and dancing and at once everyone was silent
an officer shouted the king is dead
for a while everyone stood quietly
then they all looked at tom
at last there was a great shout
long live the king everyone cried
tom is eyes moved across the crowd
hundreds of faces were watching him
his people wanted to hear him speak
he said quietly to hertford if i tell the people to do something will they do it
of course sir replied hertford
you are the king now
your word is the law
tom spoke in a loud strong voice
there will be no more blood while i am king
go to the tower of london and tell the soldiers this the king says that the duke of norfolk will not die
all around the room there were loud cries
no more blood long live edward the sixyh king of england