"But what do you mean by rows of spots, and how about the tenth spot?"
demanded Bright-Wits, showing no concern over this new test.

"Well wert thou named Bright-Wits," sneered Garrofat. "But I will
explain. The rows of spots are the three lines of spots numbered as
follows, II-V-VIII, I-IV-VII, and III-VI-IX. The tenth spot is left
vacant for the first move. And further, you must cross no spot already
occupied by a disk."

[Illustration: THE NINE DISKS.]

[Illustration: THE NINE DISKS.]

"If I succeed in solving this puzzle, have you any more tests before
giving me the reward which I have already won?" asked the prince.

"That is for me to decide," replied Garrofat with a scowl. "As I have
already told you, my love for Azalia, and respect for the wishes of her
dead parent, the wise Rajah Onalba, compel me to use every possible
resource to insure her future happiness. How better could I do this than
by proving to the world that I have bestowed her upon the wisest of
princes? The table will be carried to your apartment, and I wish again
to remind you that failure now means more than a whipping. Though you
shall have that too, for good measure."

"Give yourself no concern on that head," replied Bright-Wits boldly.
"For, by Allah, the whips are not yet braided which shall sting my
shoulders through any device of thine."

"Bravely said, my dear Bright-Wits," cackled Doola. "But be careful not