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As Bright-Wits advanced to the throne, Garrofat cried out with derision, "Comes the Prince of Boasters to receive his reward? My slaves are impatient to stretch their whips across your shoulders." "My business is neither with slaves nor whips," answered the prince with scorn. "I come to announce that I have solved the riddle of the rug."
Now on hearing this strange announcement, Ablano pierced Garrofat with his eyes. Then staying Bright-Wits, who was about to make reply, he asked, "What men are to be selected for this escort, and who is to select them?"
Now although Bright-Wits made no secret of his contempt for Garrofat and Doola, his love for the Princess Azalia daily increased. In a shaded part of the palace grounds there stood a pretty little pavilion, and here, in company with Ablano, Bright-Wits and Azalia spent many happy hours.
Then bidding Bright-Wits to follow, he led the way to a balcony from which the surrounding country could be overlooked. "There," said Garrofat, pointing in the direction of a large orchard, "is a plot of land which Zoltan, the Aga, willed to his four sons. As you can see, twelve trees grow upon it, and the whole is surrounded by a deep ditch.
But a glance from Bright-Wits caused him to shrink back in alarm. Now Bright-Wits ordered the slaves to set the spindles and shields before him; and with a smile to Azalia, he proceeded to repeat his task before their astonished eyes. When the last move was made, Garrofat gasped with amazement. None had ever accomplished that feat save the Rajah Onalba himself.
"Oh, no," grinned Garrofat, "you may take the shields and spindles to your apartment, where you can work it out at your leisure." "Only don't work on it at night, my dear Prince," put in Doola, with a leer. "The clattering of the shields would keep us all awake."
Ablano now crossed over to the princess and, taking her trembling little hands in his, gently chided her for her fears. Bright-Wits, meanwhile, continued to count and select; and to the amazement of Garrofat and Doola none were chosen but the prince's own men.
In an instant he was gathering Azalia and Bright-Wits to his bosom, while the villainous Garrofat and his cowardly brother fell stricken into the arms of the guards. Loud cheers now rent the air. Into the great square before the palace thousands of the people had gathered to greet their beloved Rajah, and to lay rich gifts at the feet of Prince Bright-Wits and the happy princess.
Bidding the prince to draw near, Garrofat began, "These eighteen pieces which you see here were originally a complete pattern filling the blank square space above the throne. The design in gold is an endless chain representing life.
So saying he dismissed the assembled people, and beckoning Doola, sought the seclusion of his own apartment. In obedience to the command of Garrofat, Bright-Wits presented himself in the great council hall of the palace at noon of the next day. His entrance was the signal for a demonstration of joy from the guards who already looked on him as their future leader.
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