It was said that all the work of Khalda was evil, but that this last creation was supreme. Even unto his last days he had labored and expended his talents upon a certain mirror of strange design. No man knew the purpose for which it was shapen; but it was certain that Khalda had not constructed it for the dubious vanity of reflecting his withered visage. The polished glass in it had come from the subterranean artizans of Saaldae, and it was polished and silvered by devious means. And the frame was of ebony strangely wrought with a monstrous carving. Great skill had gone into this, yet none knew its precise whereabouts, and the tales could find no definite origin. So the Emperor had scrolls lettered in the hieroglyphs of the land, and these were posted about the capitol and all the outlying provinces. And they said that any man that could produce this mirror would have a reward bestowed upon him. At first there came many with false claims, but a supplementary proclamation was issued, to the effect that imposters would be painfully disposed of, and thereafter the ruler was little annoyed. But in time there came an ancient one, unbelievably filthy, and clad in garments of odorous antiquity. His face was hideously wrinkled, yet it held a certain inscrutable wisdom. This repulsive being came unto the palace gates and demanded entrance. And the guards at first laughed, and then grew angry, and would have run him through with their long lances, had not the Emperor intervened and called upon his men to desist. For he had heard the commotion and became curious. Thus admittance was granted to the beggarly person, and he entered as if he had expected this from the start. In dignity he went, and bowed before the throne, strangely incongruous amid the richly clad servants that shrank from him in repugnance. The Emperor's dwarf sought to make mock of the foul being, and rolled completely off his cushion in gales of false amusement; but he saw the eyes of the stranger and straightway climbed back, mumbling in a surly tone to himself. The Emperor bade him state his mission, and the old one spoke in a manner remarkable for one so uncouth, saying, "I have brought the object you desire." With great interest, the Emperor bade him display it, but the old one refused, stating in tones of certainty that he wished to make a few observations first. "I might press my claim," observed the Emperor, somewhat amused by this effrontery. "I believe I have likewise the right of naming my price," suggested the old man. "Truly," assented his majesty, "but first tell me, what is this mirror?" "It is the mirror of Truth," was the reply. "A pretty allegory," remarked the Monarch, and settled back. So it was, the unclean person spoke freely in the court of the ruler.