"I'm called Guph, your Majesty."

"Well, Guph, come with me to my private cave, and we'll talk it over."
Then he turned to the army. "Nomes and soldiers," said he, "you are
to obey the commands of General Guph until he becomes dog-feed. Any
man who fails to obey his new General will be promptly thrown away.
You are now dismissed."

Guph went to the King's private cave and sat down upon an amethyst
chair and put his feet on the arm of the King's ruby throne. Then he
lighted his pipe and threw the live coal he had taken from his pocket
upon the King's left foot and puffed the smoke into the King's eyes
and made himself comfortable. For he was a wise old Nome, and he knew
that the best way to get along with Roquat the Red was to show that he
was not afraid of him.

"I'm ready for the talk, your Majesty," he said.

The King coughed and looked at his new General fiercely.

"Do you not tremble to take such liberties with your monarch?" he asked.

"Oh no," replied Guph, calmly, and he blew a wreath of smoke that
curled around the King's nose and made him sneeze. "You want to
conquer the Emerald City, and I'm the only Nome in all your dominions
who can conquer it. So you will be very careful not to hurt me until
I have carried out your wishes. After that--"

"Well, what then?" inquired the King.