Else's, too--to hear the peculiar bugle-call which announces that another competitor is about to enter the lists! There was a mystery here; I couldn't account for this thing. Next,

I noticed Merlin gliding away from me; and then I noticed
that my lasso was gone! The old sleight-of-hand expert had
stolen it, sure, and slipped it
under his robe. The bugle blew again. I looked, and down
came Sagramor riding again, with his dust brushed off and his veil nicely re-arr anged. I trotted up to meet him, and pretended to find him by the sound of
his horse's hoofs. He said:
"Thou'rt quick of ear, but it will not save thee from this!" and he touched the hilt of his great sword. "An ye are not able to see it,