“Enter,” said the terrible voice.
The great door flew open and Mansur entered. He found himself in the presence of the most fearful monster of all. His great head was covered with a tangled mass of purple hair and he was dreadful to behold.
The purple-haired giant was sitting on a great throne, and he glared at Mansur, saying in a voice of thunder: “How did you pass my brothers?”
Mansur made a low bow and said: “You had better ask them, you will find them in the path.”
“What!” roared the giant, “do you mean to say that my brothers saw you?”
“Indeed they did,” replied Mansur, “as plainly as you do.”
“Then I will kill them first,” said the purple-haired giant. “They have disobeyed me and they must die.”
“In what way have they disobeyed you?” asked the boy.
“No human being,” roared the giant, “must pass through this forest to King Fortune’s country. It was my command; you shall die, but I will first destroy them.” He crossed the room with a terrible stride and slammed the door as he went out.
“Now is my chance,” said Mansur and he tried to open the door, but it was locked fast. He ran to the windows but they had iron bars across them and he knew that he was a prisoner.