Twenty-Nine:

Brian did not return home immediately. He had the summer, after all. And he wasn't ready to answer questions as the Bearded Banana-Boy of Crete, New Jersey.

So for that next month, Gentle Reader — oh, the adventures Brian and Spot had. Visiting the North Pole. Discovering Atlantis. Escaping from the Elephant Graveyard. Chasing jewel thieves in Venice. Escaping the Island of Giant Insects and Sewing Supplies.

Peace did not last long after their return to Castle Manchego, however, before items were noticed absent. The queens were absent from all the decks of playing cards. The queens were absent from the chess sets. The queen-sized sheets were absent, and the queen beds along with them.

"I take the precaution to hoard the vulnerable queen items of the castle," said Spot. "So when someone notices them stolen? I find them."

"...uhh?" said Brian.

"Perhaps the time has arrived to find Its Majesty a queen," said Mimbleshaw.

"I am happy to be so beloved the king," said Spot, "I do not have to wait long for someone to suggest the search for the queen."