Bright-Wits, Prince of Mogadore | Page 9

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. This
puzzle is in reality another of the games with which the Great Onalba
was fond of amusing himself. So fond indeed was he of this particular
amusement that he had an immense representation of the board on

which it is played reproduced in stone here in the palace wall. As you
can see, my dear Prince, the board is marked off into seven squares,
three gray, and three black, while the centre square was left white. In
playing the game six counters were used, three black and three white.
In starting play, the three black counters are placed on the black squares,
and the three white counters on the gray squares. The centre square is
left vacant. The game consists in making the two sets of counters
change places; moving one at a time. You can jump as in checkers: that
is, you can go over a counter if there is a blank space behind it. You
must always move forward, however, and a move once made cannot be
withdrawn. Few have ever even seen this one of the games of Onalba,
and none but he have ever succeeded in mastering it. Do you think you
could solve this little puzzle, my dear Bright-Wits? I am dying to find
out just how it is done."
[Illustration: DOOLA'S GAME.]
[Illustration: DOOLA'S GAME.]
With an angry gesture, Bright-Wits was about to consign Doola and his
game to oblivion; but at a nod from Ablano he signed for a slave to
take the board from Doola.
_The reader may use six of the counters from the other game in
working out this one of Bright-Wits' problems._
Azalia appearing at this moment, all else was forgotten by Bright-Wits,
who rushed to her side and was soon deeply engaged in telling her of
his wonder at the greatness and splendour of her kingdom.
Short-lived, however, was to be their joy. With the coming of the next
day consternation reigned throughout the palace. Ablano, the Brahman,
had disappeared. How or when, none knew.
Couriers and soldiers were hurried abroad throughout the kingdom. The
entire country was shrouded in deepest grief. Nothing availed. Not a
trace of the Holy Brahman could be found. In the caravansaries about
the city, and within the palace naught else was talked of. Everywhere

there was evidence of a great sorrow. Short as had been the residence
of Ablano in Parrabang, the fame of his wisdom and virtue had spread
afar, and he had already a kingdom in the hearts of all the people.
At the first alarm, Bright-Wits instantly suspected treachery on the part
of the two conspirators. But investigation proved that they were no less
mystified by the strange disappearance than he himself. Six days
passed without any tidings, and Bright-Wits, frantic with fear and
suspense, was almost in despair. The most puzzling feature of the
whole affair was the fact that Azalia apparently evinced no concern.
This was surprising in view of the affection which Bright-Wits knew
her to cherish for the missing Brahman. When he chided her for this
seeming heartlessness, she but smiled at him; nor would tell him what
she knew.
CHAPTER VIII
RETURN OF ABLANO. GARROFAT AND DOOLA DECIDE ON
DESPERATE MEASURES. THE FINAL TEST