Twenty-Nine:
Brian did not return home immediately. He instead decided to try life with a beard for a while. He had the summer, after all. He wasn't ready to answer questions as the Bearded Banana-Boy of Crete, New Jersey.
And 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 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 zee precaution to hoard zee vulnerable queen items of zee castle," said Spot. "So when someone noticed them stolen — I find them."
"...backward crazy-talk," said Brian.
"Perhaps it's time to find Its Majesty a queen," said Mimbleshaw.
"I am happy to be so beloved zee king," said Spot, "I do not have to wait long for someone to suggest finding zee queen."