"Are you on your way to Radiant City?" he asked. "Why not," they answered evasively; then as the lad would not be satisfied with their answer they added. "Why be in such haste? You are not sure if the King will receive you at the end; and then what will become of you? Besides which we doubt if you will persevere, and in that case it would have been better never to have set out." At this Amer pulled his coat away from them violently, but it only had the effect of making them cling to his feet, so that every step was an effort. Do what he would he could not get rid of them, and the more he struggled the tighter they clung, till at last they pulled him to the ground. There he lay exhausted and miserable, and how long the little grey enemies would have had him in their clutches I do not know, if the Ambassador had not happened to pass that way and beheld his distress. "Sir," cried Amer, "I am in great straits. The Morbids looked peaceable enough as I passed them on the road, and I only talked with them for a few minutes as I rested. But they have not left me since, and I cannot get rid of them." "Out with your sword, man," cried the Ambassador, "have you forgotten the armour? To parley with the enemy or to argue with him is fatal. I see your sword is sheathed and idle in your hand. Out with it and do battle." Amer drew his sword, and at that the little grey people fled. "My lad," said the Ambassador, "your fall has been caused by several mistakes. First, you were not on the watch. Secondly, you thought the enemy too small to be of much consequence. Thirdly, you forgot your sword, and your girdle is hanging loosely about you. Take my advice, lad, and never despise the enemy however small and insignificant he looks. Many a battle has been lost simply through this." "Shall I always have you at my side to help me when I fall?" asked Amer. "Nay, I do not know that we shall ever meet again here. I have to go elsewhere and work for the King. But what does it signify? You have the King Himself with you, you do not need the Ambassador." "But," said Amer perplexed, "I cannot see the King and He did not come to my aid." "You forgot to cry unto Him; He hears the faintest call of His children, but you trusted in your own strength to deliver you, and forgot Him. But He came to your aid notwithstanding, for He sent me this way to help you." "How may I be sure that He hears and is willing to help?" asked Amer. "You have not studied your Guide Book enough if you have not come across His promises." And at that the Ambassador opened the Book that he always carried in his hand and told Amer to do the same. "Listen to the words of the Great King," he said:— "'The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry.'"