he repeated incessantly: `There is no longer any justice! she has disappeared and the whole world is in mourning.'

The King said to his attendants, `Bring this man to me quietly, and be careful not to frighten him.' They went to him, took him by the hand, and said to him, `Rise and have no fear - no harm will come to you.'

To which the man made answer, `You tell me that I shall not come to harm, and have nothing to be afraid of, and still you do not bid me welcome! And you know that the welcome of a believer is a warrant of security and forgiveness. Then, if the believer does not welcome the believer there is certainly ground for fear.' He then got up, and went with them towards the King.

The King stood still, hiding his face with his haik, as also did his attendants. The latter had their swords in their hands, and leant upon them.

When the man had come close to the King, he said, `Greetings be with you, O man!' The King answered, `I return your greetings, O man!' Then the man, `Why say you "O man?"' The King, `And why did you say "O man?"' `It is because I do not know your name.' `And likewise I do not know yours!'

The King then asked him, `What mean these words I have heard: "Ah! there is no more justice here below! Nobody tells the King what is going on in his states!" Tell me what has happened to you.' `I shall tell it only to that man who can avenge me and free me from oppression and shame, if it so please Almighty God!'

The King said to him, `May God place me at your disposal for your revenge and deliverance from oppression and shame!'

`What I shall now tell you,' said the man, `is marvellous and surprising. I loved a woman, who loved me also, and we were united in love. These relations lasted a long while, until an old woman enticed my mistress and took her away to a house of misfortune, shame and debauchery. Then sleep fled from my couch; I have lost all my happiness, and I have fallen into the abyss of misfortune.'

The King then said to him, `Which is that house of ill omen, and with whom is the woman?'

The man replied, `She is with a negro of the name of Dorérame, who has at his house women beautiful as the moon, the likes of whom the King has not in his palace. He has a mistress who has a profound love for him, is entirely devoted to him, and who sends him all he wants in the way of silver, beverages and clothing.'

Then the man stopped speaking. The King was much surprised at what he had heard, but the Vizir, who had not missed a word of this conversation, had certainly made out, from what the man had said, that the negro was no other than his own.

The King requested the man to show him the house.

`If I show it you, what will you do?' asked the man.

`You will see what I shall do,' said the King. `You will not be able to do anything,' replied the man, `for it is a place which must be respected and feared. If you want to enter it by force you will risk death, for its master is redoubtable by means of his strength and courage.'

`Show me the place,' said the King, `and have no fear.' The man answered, `So be it as God will!'

He then rose, and walked before them. They followed him to a wide street, where he stopped in front of a house with lofty doors, the walls being on all sides high and inaccessible.