by the people with all the honour and affection that would have been
bestowed on a royal prince of the country. Laden with rich gifts, and
with the praises of the people still ringing in his ears, he returned to
the palace at last. Here he found Garrofat awaiting him with a smile
that was far from sweet. The Vizier's sour looks, however, were quickly
forgotten when Bright-Wits, casting his eyes up to the windows of the
zenana, caught a glance from the starry orbs of Azalia that set his
heart beating to a merry tune.

Ignoring Garrofat's questions as to his travels, Bright-Wits summoned
two of his guards, who bore between them a closely wrapped square
packet; which upon being opened proved to contain the silver disk, of
the eighteen pieces now perfectly restored, its golden chain showing no
break in all its length.

It was with difficulty that Garrofat choked down his rage at this latest
failure of his plans to discomfit or destroy the prince. Doola, however,
pressed forward to welcome Bright-Wits. Bowing and salaaming like a
manikin he pranced across the court; and, as he drew near, Bright-Wits
noticed that he carried in his hand a narrow strip of teak wood marked
off into squares. Calling upon Allah and all the prophets to bear
witness to his joy at seeing his dear friend Prince Bright-Wits returned
safely from his journey, he would have clasped the prince in his arms
had not our hero thrust him off.

Disregarding the prince's scorn, he endeavoured to call his attention to
the little teak wood board which the prince had already observed. "My
dear Bright-Wits," he chattered, "I have come to crave a boon at your
hands. I want the assistance of your clever wits in solving a little
puzzle over which I have spent hours without arriving at a solution.