[Illustration: THE FIVE SHIELDS.]

[Illustration: THE FIVE SHIELDS.]

Calming himself with an effort, the prince asked, "Do you mean that I am
to do this task here and now?"

"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."

"Some day, with the help of Allah, I will put you into a sleep that
nothing will ever disturb," cried Bright-Wits as he strode wrathfully
from the hall.

_If the reader would try this new task, he may cut out the shields
at the back of the book. For spindles he may use three square
pieces of cardboard with a pin stuck through the centre of each.
After placing the shields on the first spindle the first move will
be shield No. 1 to a vacant spindle. Then shield No. 2 to another
vacant spindle. Then shield No. 1 on top of shield No. 2, and the
rest as he may._




CHAPTER IV