"Arise, Itzalmo," said the prince, kindly. "You have requested speech with me. Hualcoyotl is pleased to grant any favor you may ask which is his to bestow. Of what would you speak?"
"Hualcoyotl, the prince, is very kind. If it please him, his servant would speak of the king."
"What of the king, good friend?"
"The king is dead."
"The king dead, you say? How came the news?"
"By special courier but now."
Hualcoyotl's countenance took on a grave and thoughtful expression. After a short pause he remarked:
"Maxtla will be king."
"Yes, Maxtla is already king," replied Itzalmo; "crowned by his father's hand—an event greatly to be deplored, surely; and well might we ask, O Prince, what will be the issue?"
"An inauspicious succession, good friend, to say the least; and one full of painful uncertainty," spoke the master; and, after a brief silence, he suddenly said; "Itzalmo, thou hast excellent command of thy knowledge—thou art wise; I would know what is in thy mind. What discernest thou in the old king's death? How will it effect our people's condition?"