The King's Talisman — page 34: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE KINGS TALISMAN. | 25 quer their enemies; and it is generally believed that no one can successfully lead our armies who does not possess it. When the good king Merolboth died, the talisman was nowhere to be found, though Modad gave out that he had it safely within his possession, and the people believe that he speaks the truth. The absence of this talisman has struck a dread to our king’s soul, and without it he dares not fight his enemies.” «© And what is this wonderful talisman?” ‘Tt is a massive diamond, of such purity and brilliancy that even at night it gleams likea star. It is set just above the visor of a golden helmet, and such is its power in the sunlight, that he who would strike the king who wears it upon his brow is so completely blinded by its brilliancy as to lose the aim of his stroke. Now neither the diamond nor the goiden helmet has Modad ever possessed, and he dares not stand forth in defense of his city, and consequently he has made the most base and degrading overtures to his enemy in purchase of peace.” ‘And does the king think to see me carry his designs into execution?” exclaimed Noureddin. ‘‘ Does he think to make me a tool of his baseness?” ‘‘ He certainly does,” replied the eunuch; ‘‘ but he has tempered his designs upon you with a little kindness, never- theless. ” “Ah,” uttered the young man, gazing into the dark face of his companion, with a good degree of curiosity. «“ Yes,” calmly responded the black messenger, ‘‘he means not that you shall live to hear the disgrace of the deed.” : Noureddin started from the bedside, and his hand rested significantly upon his sword-hilt. There was fire in his eye, and a proud flush upon his noble brow. et «Do you know the nature of this message?” he at length asked. | comichooks (ELo)