conversation, planning various ways to outwit Zog and make their
escape. While thus engaged, the gong at the door sounded and Sacho
entered.

"My diabolical master commands you to attend him," said the boy.

"When?" asked Aquareine.

"At once, your Majesty."

"Very well, we will follow you," she said. So they swam down the
corridors following Sacho until they again reached the golden-domed
room they had formerly visited. Here sat Zog just as they had left
him, seemingly, but when his prisoners entered, the magician arose
and stood upon his cloven feet and then silently walked to a
curtained archway.

Sacho commanded the prisoners to follow, and beyond the archway they
found a vast chamber that occupied the center of the castle and was
as big as a ballroom. Zog, who seemed to walk with much difficulty
because his ungainly body swayed back and forth, did not go far
beyond the arched entrance. A golden throne was set nearby, and in
this the monster seated himself. At one side of the throne stood a
group of slaves. They were men, women and children. All had broad
gold bands clasped around their ankles as a badge of servitude, and
at each throat were the fish's gills that enabled them to breathe
and live under water. Yet every face was smiling and serene, even in
the presence of their dread master. In parts of the big hall were
groups of other slaves.