"Wait!" answered Keen Eyes. He raised his bandage, gave the door one glance and it crumbled into pieces. Without further ceremony, the four travellers entered the castle.
It was a wonderful place, this home of the King of the Sorcerers. On every side statues of gold and silver were to be found, luminous flowers, and amidst all the beauty, charming birds that spoke the language of human beings.
In one room of the castle the travellers found a table already set and covered with the most palatable dishes and perfumed wines. The Prince and his companions were very hungry; so they sat themselves down to the feast spread before them, and ate a great deal and drank a great deal more. After this excellent meal, Prince Erian and his three servants went out to walk in the beautiful garden. They had scarcely gone ten paces when they met Magor and his charming captive. At sight of these unknown persons, the Sorcerer stood dumb with amazement. At last, full of rage, he cried out:
"Why did you come here, miserable creatures? Dare you even pretend to take from me the pearl of pearls, the beauty without rival that I have on my arm, my pretty prisoner, the Princess of Golconda?"
"Yes," said the Prince; "and all your magic will serve to confound you, if you do not use your superhuman art."
"So be it," assented Magor. "I will not crush you like an earthworm. I will do better. I will give you the lady of your dreams, but upon one condition only."
"Name it!" cried Prince Erian.
"It is this: that during three days in succession, and precisely at twelve o'clock, you must present the Princess of Golconda to me in the large hall of the Castle."