Bright-Wits, Prince of Mogadore | Page 5

THE THREE GATES.]
[Illustration: THE THREE FOUNTAINS AND THE THREE GATES.]
When Garrofat ceased, Bright-Wits was about to give way to his wrath,
but a look from Azalia checked him, and he said, "So be it. I accept this
new task."
"And the old penalty," chuckled Doola.
"Yes, and the old penalty," cried Bright-Wits. "But look to it thyself,
thou hungry hind, lest thou be nearer the whips than I."
Now although Bright-Wits made no secret of his contempt for Garrofat
and Doola, his love for the Princess Azalia daily increased. In a shaded
part of the palace grounds there stood a pretty little pavilion, and here,
in company with Ablano, Bright-Wits and Azalia spent many happy
hours.
_The reader may observe that the fountains and gates are coloured the
same in pairs: gray for gold, white for silver, and black for bronze. He
may with his pencil endeavour to connect each fountain with the gate

of its own colour._
The week finally slipped by, and on the seventh day, Bright-Wits was
led, as before, to the Audience Chamber surrounded by a strong guard
of slaves. Entering the apartment, the prince advanced, and saluting
Garrofat with mock courtesy, he handed him a parchment on which had
been drawn a plan showing the solution of the problem of the fountains
and gates.
Garrofat received the parchment, and after a glance at it, passed it to
Doola with a wink. "Verily," said he, "thou art indeed a bright youth.
Now be not impatient, I pray you," he added hastily, on seeing the face
of the prince grow dark. "Think not that I have any desire to cheat you
of the reward you have won, or almost won, I should say; for I have a
further little test for you."
It was with difficulty that Bright-Wits controlled his rage; while
Garrofat continued in oily tones, "You have no doubt heard, among
other things, that the Great Rajah Onalba was very fond of playing at
games of skill. Now it is only just that you should prove your title to be
his successor by performing some of them. On the wall beside you
hang five shields, each smaller than the other. Through the centre of
each there is a hole. You will see that they are numbered from one to
five. Behind you stand three spindles. Now you must first place all the
shields on one of the spindles, the largest, number five, on the bottom,
and the smallest, number one, on the top. Next you must transfer all
five shields to the second spindle, moving but one shield at a time, and
placing it either on a vacant spindle or on top of a larger shield. You
may use all three spindles in the task, which I assure you will test your
bright wits to the full."
[Illustration: THE FIVE SHIELDS.]
[Illustration: THE FIVE SHIELDS.]
[Illustration: THE FIVE SHIELDS.]
Calming himself with an effort, the prince asked, "Do you mean that I

am to do this task here and now?"
"Oh, no," grinned Garrofat, "you may take the shields and spindles to
your apartment, where you can work it out at your leisure."
"Only don't work on it at night, my dear Prince," put in Doola, with a
leer. "The clattering of the shields would keep us all awake."
"Some day, with the help of Allah, I will put you into a sleep that
nothing will ever disturb," cried Bright-Wits as he strode wrathfully
from the hall.
_If the reader would try this new task, he may cut out the shields at the
back of the book. For spindles he may use three square pieces of
cardboard with a pin stuck through the centre of each. After placing the
shields on the first spindle the first move will be shield No. 1 to a
vacant spindle. Then shield No. 2 to another vacant spindle. Then
shield No. 1 on top of shield No. 2, and the rest as he may._
CHAPTER IV
THE PRINCE SOLVES THE GAME OF ONALBA, AND DIVIDES
THE LAND OF ZOLTAN, THE AGA, TO THE DISMAY OF
GARROFAT
Now followed another week of happiness spent with the princess and
Ablano. When the seventh day arrived at last, Bright-Wits presented
himself in the Great Hall accompanied by slaves bearing the shields
and spindles.
Now Garrofat observed the prince's confident air with displeasure.
Concealing his feelings, however, he chirped, "Well, Prince, have your
wits proven as bright as of yore? Or do you but come to return the
shields and to ask forgiveness for your rash boasting?"
"Cease such drivel," cried Bright-Wits, interrupting him, "I have come
to announce the completion of a task so simple that it should not have
puzzled a child."

"Ah, what a fine thing it is to be clever,"