As Garrofat ceased speaking, Bright-Wits glanced quickly at Azalia, and
the light he saw shining in her eyes would have spurred him to tempt any
fate at that moment. Trembling, but not from fear, the prince gravely
saluted Garrofat and accepted the task and all its conditions. Then, in
a voice that was calm and clear he asked, "Must I do this now?"

"Now. At once," hissed Garrofat. "Now, while thy guardian spirit is
gone."

Then for the first time Bright-Wits noticed the absence of Ablano, the
Brahman. Nor could he recognize the tall stranger standing beside
Azalia; his face muffled in a fold of his robe. Then too, he vaguely
wondered at the presence of the many dignitaries and officers of the
kingdom, and at the strange air of mystery which seemed to pervade the
entire audience chamber.

Fear for an instant seized his heart; but a glance from Azalia reassured
while it still further mystified him. The savage command of Garrofat
that he waste no more time brought him to his senses; and dropping on
his knees, he began his task. A breathless stillness reigned as the
prince adjusted and readjusted the pieces. Garrofat and the wily Doola
watching, meanwhile, with looks now filled with cunning, now with fear.

[Illustration: THE SERPENT.]

[Illustration: THE SERPENT.]

Time after time, Bright-Wits arranged the pieces of silver whose
proper placing meant so much to him. The minutes passed until he seemed