"John Morressy -- Walter and the Wonderful Watch" - читать интересную книгу автора (Morressy John)

palace for a few days."

"We are the king, and we can do whatever we want. Where would you take us?
Someplace amusing, we trust."

"Your Majesty would have the time of his life," said the watch.
"Then let us depart at once. We will summon the royal carriage."

"No need, Your Majesty. I have a winged chariot. It's much faster and the view is
marvelous. You'll find it most diverting."

At the very instant the watch spoke, a massive winged chariot appeared in the upper
reaches of the throneroom and slowly circled down, to alight silently at the foot of the throne.
The king stamped his feet in excitement and cried, "Oh, this is wonderful! Wonderful!"
"Before we depart, I must bid farewell to my former master," said the watch.

"That wretched boy? Be quick about it," said the king.
Once back in Walter's hand, the watch whispered, "The king and I will be taking a long
journey. Seize your opportunity, my friend."

"What opportunity?"
"Once we leave, the throne will be vacant. Permanently. Seat yourself firmly upon it and
declare yourself the new ruler. Command the guards to swear their allegiance to you. Hold
your coronation this very afternoon. Release all prisoners and announce that the dungeons
are closed until further notice and there will be no more squandering of the treasury on
playthings, no new taxes, and no more wars. The people will love you, and your family will be
very happy in the palace. It has eleven hundred rooms."
"I don't understand. What's going on?"

"My boy, I am no ordinary watch. I'm not really a watch at all. I'm a special agent of
Father Time."

"Your disguise is brilliant!" Walter said.
"Thank you. I've been on this king's track for many years. If your cousin George hadn't let
me run down, I would have brought him in long ago."

"In where? Where are you going?"
 "To the Hall of Chronological Justice. The king is a wanted man. He has not only abused
and wasted time, he has actually killed it, and then boasted of the murder. He has much to
answer for."

"Won't you ever bring him back?"
"Time flies, my boy. But only in one direction. Goodbye, and good luck in your new job."

"But I don't know how to be a king!" Walter said in growing panic.

"Have no fear. Time is on your side."
"You are keeping us waiting!" the king cried.

Walter ran to him and held out the watch. The king snatched it. Clutching it in both