"Please excuse this little interruption," said Zog. "I knew very well the marble blocks would not hurt you. But the play is over for a time. You may now retire to your rooms, and when I again invite you to my presence, I shall have found some better ways to entertain you."

 

Without reply to this threat, they turned and followed Sacho from the hall, and the boy led them straight back to their own rooms.

 

"Zog is making a great mistake," said Sacho with a laugh. "He has no time for vengeance³, but the great magician does not know that."

 

"What is he trying to do, anyway?" asked Trot.

 

"He does not tell me all his secrets, but I've an idea he wants to kill you," replied Sacho. "How absurd it is to be plotting such a thing when he might spend his time in laughing and being jolly! Isn't it, now?"

 

"Zog is a wicked, wicked creature!" exclaimed Trot.

 

"But he had his good points," replied Sacho cheerfully. "There is no one about in the world so bad that there is nothing good about him."

 

"I'm not so sure of that," said Cap'n Bill. "What are Zog's good points?"

 

"All his slaves were saved from drowning, and he is kind to them," said Sacho.

 

"That is merely the kindness of selfishness," said Aquareine. "Tell me, my lad, is the opening in the great dome⁴ outside guarded?"

 

"Yes indeed," was the reply. "You cannot hope to escape in that way, for the prince of the sea devils, who is the largest and fiercest of his race, lies crouched⁵ over the opening night and day, and none can pass his network of curling legs."

 

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