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 third man arrived and they offered unto him a share of their food. During the meal all ate of the loaves in equal portion. The repast over, their guest threw down eight pieces of money in payment for his share. Dissension now began. He who had the five loaves claimed five coins; but the other objected, and insisted that as all had partaken equally of the food that the money should be divided equally; each taking four coins. They were still disputing when I overtook them, and they begged me to settle the matter. Now Bright-Wits, I put the question to you. What would be a proper division of the money, so that each may have justice?" Sorely puzzled, the prince knit his brows in thought; while Garrofat and Doola grinned broadly at the prospect of his failure. Their joy was short-lived, however, as, with a smile to Ablano, Bright-Wits announced that both of the strangers were in the wrong. Then he pointed out the proper distribution of the coins. Now when the prince had answered Ablano embraced him; saying, "verily am I proud of thee, my son and pupil. Be of good heart. Your reward is near." Garrofat and Doola, who for the moment were forgotten, now claimed attention. Ordering Bright-Wits to draw near, the crafty Vizier Garrofat thus addressed him, "Know thou, most wise and fortunate of princes, that I have one other task to put to you. Now as this one may be the last, I would give much thought to it to the end that it prove the supreme test of the boasted brightness of your wits. To-night, therefore, I will endeavour to devise such a task that your successful accomplishment of it will prove to all the world that you are in truth wise enough to sit upon the throne of the Great Onalba." So saying he dismissed the assembled people, and beckoning Doola, sought the seclusion of his own apartment.