“You can see, O prince, that it is made up of separate pieces, each containing from three to five squares, fourteen pieces in all.  They must be cut apart and rearranged so as to form a perfect checker board.”

“But there are empty spaces, and I can see but thirteen pieces here,” objected Bright-Wits.

“The missing piece hangs here at the side of the steps, and, as you see, contains three squares,” explained Azalia.

“This surely can be no difficult task to be so richly rewarded,” cried Bright-Wits.

“Then accomplish it, thou Clever One,” laughed Azalia.

The reader who wishes to learn what chance Bright-Wits has of winning the promised reward, should cut out the rug on page at the back of the book, and try the task himself.  Cut with a scissors or sharp knife along the heavy lines.

[Illustration:  The rug.]

[Illustration:  The rug.]

[Illustration:  The rug.]

CHAPTER II

     The villainy of Garrofat and Doola.  The prince solves the riddle of
     the rug, and finds A new task awaiting him

Now when the Vizier Garrofat returned he was angered to find the princess conversing with the strangers, and remarked sourly, “Much wisdom, my lords, may be found in the complaints of women.  Azalia has doubtless been telling you of the riddle of the Mankalah rug, forgetting that it is unseemly in a maiden to point the way to the possession of her charms.”

To which Bright-Wits quickly replied, “Learn then, O Garrofat, that I would fain solve the riddle of the rug, and do proclaim my willingness to be whipped forth from the gates of your city, if seven days hence I have not accomplished the task.”

“Bright eyes stir dull wits,” sneered Garrofat.  “Let us pray to Allah that your skin is as thick as your vanity is great; for my slaves have stout arms and heavy whips.  Know then that I accept your offer and warn thee against failure.  Now enter with me into the palace, where you will find refreshment; and on the morrow I will have the rug conveyed to the apartment which you shall occupy while you dwell with us, that you may begin your task without delay.”

During the week which followed, Bright-Wits, and Ablano the Brahman, made numerous excursions into the city and even out into the surrounding country.  At every opportunity the prince sought the society of Azalia; and as the holy Brahman Ablano was ever present at their meetings, Garrofat could offer no objection, much as he frowned on their ripening friendship.

On these occasions Azalia told her new friends of many suspicious acts of the crafty vizier; which clearly indicated that he was plotting to secure the hand of the princess for himself, and the entire control of the kingdom into the bargain.  “He has assumed the royal red robes,” said Azalia, “and he has issued orders that he be addressed only as rajah.  He has elevated his cunning brother Doola to be head of the Council of Emirs with the rank of vizier; and has given him the richest province of my father’s kingdom to govern.”  When relating these things the princess would give way to her grief.