shudder; "for his skin is greasy, and will soil
my hands. Here, Nerle!" he continued, turning to his esquire, "dispose
of this black man, and save me the trouble."

Nerle laughed pleasantly. The black was a powerfully built man, and
compared with Nerle and the prince, who had but the stature of boys, he
towered like a very giant in size. Nevertheless, Nerle did not
hesitate to spring upon the Wrestler, who with a quick movement sent
the boy crashing against the stone pavement.

Nerle was much bruised by the fall, and as he painfully raised himself
to his feet a great lump was swelling behind his left ear, where his
head had struck the floor, and he was so dizzy that the room seemed
swimming around him in a circle. But he gave a happy little laugh, and
said to the prince, gratefully:

"Thank you very much, my master! The fall is hurting me delightfully.
I almost feel as if I could cry, and that would be joy indeed!"

"Well," answered the prince, with a sigh, "I see I must get my hands
greased after all"--for the black's body had really been greased to
enable him to elude the grasp of his opponents.

But Marvel made a quick leap and seized the Wrestler firmly around the
waist. The next moment, to the astonishment of all, the black man flew
swiftly into the air, plunged through one of the open windows high up
in the wall, and disappeared from view. When the king and his people
again turned their wondering eyes upon the prince he was wiping his
hands carefully upon a silk handkerchief.

At this sight a pretty young girl, who stood near the throne, laughed
aloud, and the sound of her laughter made King Terribus very angry.

"Come here!" he commanded, sternly. The girl stepped forward, her face
now pale and frightened, while tear-drops trembled upon the lashes that
fringed her downcast eyes. "You have dared to laugh at the humiliation
of your king," said Terribus, his horrid face more crimson than ever,
"and as atonement I command that you drink of the poisoned cup."

Instantly a dwarf came near, bearing a beautiful golden goblet in his
crooked hands.

"Drink!" he said, an evil leer upon his face.

The girl well knew this goblet contained a vile poison, one drop of
which on her tongue would cause death; so she hesitated, trembling and
shrinking from the ordeal.

Prince Marvel looked into her sweet face with pitying eyes, and
stepping quickly to her side, took her hand in his.

"Now drink!" he said, smil