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up for supper. Miles, instead of thinking that he’s selfish, figures Edward has been beaten so much his mind is deranged. He decides to play along and treats Edward like the prince he claims he is until he’s cured. Miles tells Edward about his life: he was born into low nobility, and his father sent him to fight in foreign wars. But Miles was captured and jailed, and only recently escaped. With no money, Miles is trying to get back to Hendon Hall. He performs his good deeds in honour of a highborn princess he’s in love with…but who he can never be with because of his low birth. Edward promptly solves the problem by making Miles Earl of Kent, and when he realizes Miles is in love with his cousin, Lady Anne, he promises to put in a good word. Miles, of course, still doesn’t believe him. Edward wonders why Miles is so good to him when he doesn’t know who he is; Miles explains that he’s been lonely traveling by himself. As Edward falls asleep, Lady Anne shows up, warning Miles he’s in danger. Miles’ father is deathly ill, but Miles’ brother, Donald, has been claiming that Miles is dead. When their father dies, Donald, the younger brother, will take over Hendon Hall and declare Miles an imposter, locking him out of his rightful inheritance and killing him. He also wants to marry Anne. Miles is so outraged he vows to fight his brother, but Anne reminds him that Miles has no money and Donald has an army. Anne gives Miles some coins so he’s able to leave the country. Miles refuses. He wants to make a legal case in court and suggests that the Prince could speak on his behalf. Anne is skeptical of this idea, since the Prince has been so weird lately. He’s forgotten his manners and the three languages he speaks and insists he’s actually a pauper. Miles reflects on his similar experience with Edward. Anne remarks that it’s quite the coincidence…but Miles thinks it might be more than that. What if the boys switched places? Anne is confident she can recognize her cousin and wants to wake up the boy to see if he’s really Edward, but Miles won’t allow it—Edward needs his sleep. Miles will bring him to the castle instead. Miles and Anne long for the day their love will no longer be secret, but fear that will never happen. Once Miles and Anne leave, Canty and Hugo enter in disguise. Edward, awoken by Hugo’s knock on the door, lets them in. Hugo pretends to be a messenger from Miles, telling Edward to come with them. Edward believes them, and Canty puts a sack over his head and ties him up. They leave. Miles then returns to find Edward gone. At Garbage Court, Hodge and Hugo celebrate the King’s death and hope the next king is kinder. Canty enters with Edward. Hodge and Hugo tell Canty the king is dead. Edward informs them haughtily that he is now king and will punish them, but nobody believes him. Canty tells Edward to stop teasing the other boys, but when Edward persists on claiming to be king, they all make fun of him. Hugo tries to take Edward off to learn how to steal, but Edward doesn’t like to be touched and has a small cudgel fight with Hugo. Edward wins the fight, causing Hugo to promise Edward will never make a fool of him again. Hugo then commences teaching Edward to steal…which involves stealing a pig in a basket, putting it by Edward, and running off. Everyone now thinks Edward stole the pig, so he’s arrested and taken to jail. The next day, Edward stands before the magistrate, who tells the woman Hugo robbed that anyone stealing something above a certain worth is hanged…and this crime qualifies. The woman is distraught, because she doesn’t want to condemn Edward to death. The magistrate offers to buy the pig for a lot less money, so Edward doesn’t die. The woman isn’t happy about selling the pig for less, but she agrees. Edward calls the constable back into the room and accuses the magistrate of having no honour. The magistrate orders Edward sentenced to ten years in jail and a public beating, but before Edward is taken away, Miles walks in to see the magistrate. When he finds out about Edward’s fate, he offers to take the beating for him. Just then, the constable receives a royal decree that all penalties are canceled due to Coronation Day. Edward panics; he and Miles must get to the palace before Tom is crowned king. As they make their way through the crowds, they run into Canty and Hugo. Canty shows Miles the locket he thinks Edward stole, saying he’d be crazy to give up a thief that good. Edward explains that it’s his, and has his family portrait in it. Miles gets a good look it when Canty gives it to him after the four of them fought over it; he thinks it may actually belong to the Royal Family.

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