Vinnie looked so worried that Helene ran over to him.
"What's wrong?" she said.
Vinnie explained.
"I have to keep the soup away from the king," he cried.
"I'll help," said Helene.
They followed the servant carrying the tray of soup.
In the palace, Mandy was still searching for Helene.
She walked down another hallway.
She heard noises.
Quietly she opened the nearest door.
The room was full of billiard tables.
Men, including King Louis, were playing.
"Oh, Your Majesty," one man laughed.
"You win again!
You are truly the champion of this game."
King Louis smiled.
Then he walked into the next room.
Mandy followed, keeping out of sight.
It was a dining room with a long table.
Waiting servants held trays of food.
"Bring me my soup!"
said the king as he sat down.
Mandy saw her brother and Helene right behind the servants.
They looked scared.
Mandy waved, but they didn't see her.
"Ah, my favorite soup!" the king said.
At that moment, Vinnie jumped out.
"Don't eat that!" he yelled.
Startled, the servant dropped the soup into the king's lap.
"You idiot!"
King Louis leaped from his seat.
"Your Majesty, are you all right?" cried the servant.
Everyone ran to the king.
They tried to wipe off the spilled soup.
"Vinnie! Helene!" Mandy shouted loudly.
They ran to her.
"We'd better get away!" Helene cried.
"Oh, look at the royal clothing," said someone.
"His coat is ruined," said another.
"And his best hat," a servant whispered.
"What a mess!"
The king looked up and screamed:
"That boy! Stop him!"
Everyone looked around.
In the confusion, the children had escaped.
The children ran down a long hallway.
"Over here!" cried Helene.
They stopped to catch their breath in a corner.
The guards were far behind.
Vinnie pulled out the photo.
"We have to get to a fountain with golden frogs," he said.
"You must mean the Fountain of Latona," said Helene.
"It has many frogs on it.
It's behind the palace. I'll show you."
The children followed her.
Along the way Mandy asked:
"Why did you stop King Louis?"
Vinnie explained.
"Would the king really kill someone because of his soup?" asked Mandy.
"Only if it was truly poisoned!" laughed Helene.
"Look, Mandy! The frogs in the picture are glowing blue!" Vinnie shouted.
"What?" asked Helene.
"Nothing," said Mandy.
"There it is!"
Helene pointed ahead.
"The fountain was inspired by an ancient Greek goddess.
She turned people into frogs if they insulted her."
"Wow, sounds cruel," gulped Vinnie.
Helene giggled.
"Some people think King Louis built it to send his people a message:
obey your king!
Anyway, I have to get back to work.
See you later?"
Mandy gave her a hug.
"Well . . . good-bye," she said, then paused.
"I am so glad I met you!"
Helene looked confused.
When Vinnie and Mandy got to the fountain, they looked back.
Helene was walking up the steps waving.
The grand Palace of Versailles was as beautiful as ever.
"The frogs are glowing red," said Vinnie.
"We're going home."