“I write once more to let you know that I am again in great trouble, but this time there is nothing in which you can help me, though I know, in the goodness of your heart, you would wish to do so if it were possible.

“When, in accordance with the fairies’ decree, to which I must always most humbly bow, I was called upon to disappear at the very moment when I was hoping to welcome my guests to my newly established home, I found myself most unexpectedly in this place.

    “It is an island very little known, and far out of the beaten track
    of vessels.

    “Once a year, however, a trader calls, bringing and taking letters
    and exchanging for the produce of this place such necessities as we
    require from more civilised lands.

“The people of this country are very simple and of primitive habits, so much so that it is the custom here if a maiden remains unmarried after a certain age, and becomes a burden to her parents, to turn her out of the community, and leave her to seek food for herself or starve in the desert.

“This cruel and unnatural law I have constantly tried to get altered, and the King and his advisers consent to do so only on one condition, and that is, that I find a husband for the only unmarried daughter of the King, who is at present an outcast in the wilderness, being of most uncomely appearance and greatly deformed.

    “I have been out into the wilderness to see the poor creature
    myself.  She is indeed in a pitiful plight, being far from fair to
    look upon, and gaunt and thin with exposure and suffering.

“I conversed with her and found her intelligent, and patient under her great afflictions; in fact, her sad case so touched my heart that, not only for her sake, but for the sake of the other unfortunate maidens who, unless this cruel law is altered, may have to suffer a fate similar to hers, I have decided to marry her myself, and thus rescue her and others who may follow her.

“I think of my sweet Princess and feel that she would approve—­for never shall I see her dear face again—­and in making this marriage she would know I was inclined to it from pity and not from any untruthfulness to her most dear memory.

    “The stone she gave me I cannot bear to see any more, and this I
    ask you to keep until I claim it again; all my other goods and
    the money in the bank I leave to you absolutely.

    “I feel that I may never see you again, and if this be so, accept
    my hearty and devoted thanks for all you have done for me.  Think
    of me sometimes and

    “Believe me to be,
       “Your friend always,
          “SHIN SHIRA SCARAMANGA MANOUSA YAMA HAWA.”

I sat a long while after I had read this letter, thinking of all the strange happenings since I had known my little friend.