Twenty-Nine

Brian was ready to leave, to befuddle with his real beard the wholesome citizenry of Crete, New Jersey, and to salvage what was left of his summer. But instead he was pulled into one tiresome adventure after another. The visit to the North Pole. The discovery of Atlantis. The escape from the Elephant Graveyard. The hunt for jewel thieves in Venice. The escape from the Island of Giant Insects and Sewing Supplies.

Even after their return to Castle Manchego, circumstances could not be left alone. Items were noticed missing. The queens were missing from all the decks of playing cards. The queens were missing from the chess sets. The queen-sized sheets were missing, 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 absent? I find them."

"...uhh," said Brian.

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

"How glad I am to be the king in so high regard," said Spot, "I have not so long to wait for someone to ask we look for the queen."