When the Black Prince had concluded his own tale, he paused, and then said to me:
“Now, Solario, as to those circumstances of my misfortune which precede the tale I have just told you, I will, if you consent, call on my good friend here, who was personally concerned in them, to relate them to you.”
Whereupon he nodded to my companion, who at once commenced
THE STORY OF THE COURTEOUS STRANGER
“You must know,” he began, “that soon after my arrival at the city of—”
“What has this got to do with your being enchanted by the witch?” said the King.
“Well,” said Solario, “its bearing on what afterward happened to me is perhaps a little indirect, but I assure your majesty that—”
“No, no,” said the King. “I never sit up late, and it’s getting on toward my bedtime.”
The old man sighed.