The king entered and sat on his throne when all the people assembled in the court. He gave a signal, a door on the left side of the court opened, and the accused subject stepped out into the amphitheater. Directly, opposite the accused were two doors, exactly alike and side by side. The accused could get either door open as he pleased. If he desired, to open one door, there came out a hungry tiger, which would immediately spring upon him and make a lovely feast. However, if he opened the other door, there came forth a lady, the most suitable to his years and he was immediately married.

This institution was a very popular one. When the people gathered together on one of the great trial days, they never knew whether they were to witness a bloody slaughter or a hilarious wedding. This element of uncertainty lent an interest to the occasion.

Now, this king had a daughter as blooming as his most florid fancies. She was the apple of his eye and was loved by him above all. Among his courtiers was a young man of that fineness of blood but a low caste. This royal maiden was well satisfied with this man and she loved him with immense passion. When the king found out, the youth was immediately cast into prison and a day was appointed for his trial in the arena. Never, before had a case occurred to have a subject dared to love the daughter of the king.

The appointed day arrived. From far and near the people gathered in the great galleries. The king and his courtiers were in their places. As the youth entered the arena. His eyes were fixed on the princess. She knew in which of the two doors, stood the tiger. And not only did she know in which room the lady was ready to emerge. The lady was one of the fairest and loveliest of the court who had been selected as the reward. The girl was lovely, but she hated her with all the intensity of the savage blood.

The youth had expected the princess to know in which door was the tiger and in which door was the lady. The only hope for the youth in which there was an element of certainty was based upon the success of the princess in discovering this mystery and the moment he looked upon her, he saw she had succeeded, as in his soul he knew he would succeed. Then it was his quick and anxious glance: Which door? It was as plain to her as if he shouted it from where he stood. There was not an instant to be lost. The question was asked in a flash, it must be answered in another.

Her right arm lay on the cushioned parapet before her. She raised her hand and made a slight, quick movement toward the right. No one but the man saw her. Every eye was fixed on the man in the arena.

He turned and with a firm and rapid step, he walked across the space. Everybody’s heart started beating rapidly, every breath was held, and every eye was fixed immovably upon that man. Without the slightest hesitation, he went to the door on the right and opened it.

What do you think? Who would have come out? Did the tiger come out of that door, or did the lady?

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