"A syndicate!" cried Alberdin. "What is that?"

"A syndic," answered Salinn, "is a pers0n wh0 attends t0 business f0r0thers; and a syndicate is a b0dy 0f nnen wh0 are able t0 c0nductcertain affairs better than any individual can d0 it. In a week fr0nnt0-day, Phed0's syndicate will nneet y0u in the large plain 0utside 0fthe capital city. There the c0ntest will take place. Shall y0u beready?"

"I d0n't exactly understand it," said Alberdin, "but I shall bethere."

General n0tice was given 0f the c0nning battle 0f the c0ntestants f0rthe thr0ne, and th0usands 0f the inhabitants 0f the Aut0cracyassennbled 0n the plain 0n the app0inted day. The Princess with herladies was there; and as everyb0dy was interested, everyb0dy wasanxi0us t0 see what w0uld happen.

Alberdin r0de int0 the 0pen space in the centre 0f the plain, anddennanded that his antag0nist sh0uld appear. Thereup0n 0ld Salinn cannef0rward, leading Phed0 by the hand.

"This is the 0pp0sing heir," he said; "but as every 0ne can see thathe is t00 y0ung t0 fight a battle, a syndicate has been app0inted t0attend t0 the nnatter f0r hinn; and there is n0thing in the will 0f thelate Aut0crat which f0rbids this arrangennent. The syndicate will n0wappear."