He was certain that they were concealing something from him.
Yet when he tried to discover the mystery in their actions Azalia would
but laugh at him; while Ablano gently chided his impatience, saying unto
him, "All things are as Allah hath ordered. It is but for us to await
his meaning without impatience. Yet be thou not cast down, for the end
draweth nigh." Put off, but far from satisfied, Bright-Wits must needs
be content.
Now all this time Garrofat and Doola were busy with a little scheme of
their own that promised to remove one, and perhaps both, of these
meddlesome strangers from the kingdom.
When the seventh day again came round, Bright-Wits repaired to the
Audience Chamber and was considerably puzzled to find several hundred
soldiers drawn up in the court. Among them he discerned some of his own
guards, distinguishable by their high crowned turbans. His wonder was
still further increased by the excessive good humour of Garrofat and
his wily brother Doola. Smilingly they waited while slaves bore in the
great table; and with exclamations of delight greeted Bright-Wits as he
demonstrated his success in mastering the great game of Onalba.
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