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

So matters stood; even the successful solution of Doola’s puzzle, which the prince had easily accomplished, passed almost unnoticed.  Imagine, then, the general surprise when, on the seventh day, Ablano returned as mysteriously as he had vanished.  To all inquiries as to his absence Ablano remained deaf.  With him there had come three strangers, who from their dress and appearance were inhabitants of the great desert to the north of Parrabang.

[Illustration:  The eight pieces of money.]

[Illustration:  The eight pieces of money.]

When the excitement had in some measure subsided, and the wanderer had embraced Bright-Wits and Azalia, Ablano turned to Garrofat and thus addressed him, “Know, thou who art called Garrofat, that with pride I have watched the success of my dearly beloved pupil in the performance of the various tasks which you have seen fit to impose upon him.  Now I, myself, would fain submit to him a question; that I may put to the test his wisdom and justice and learn if all my teachings have borne good fruit.  Now two of these dwellers in the desert whom you see here with me halted to-day by the wayside and prepared to break their fast.  The food between them consisted of eight small loaves; one possessing five, and the other, three.  Now as they seated themselves this