They examined the walls, looking for a place where they might be scaled, but with no result. To their surprise they found the house to be as close as a breastplate.

The King, turning to the man, asked him, `What is your name?'

`Omar ben Isad,' he replied.

The King said to him, `Omar, are you determined?'

`Yes, my brother,' answered he, `if it so pleases God on high!' And turning to the King he added, `May God assist you tonight!'

Then the King, addressing his attendants, said, `Are you determined? Is there one amongst you who could scale these walls?'

`Impossible!' they all replied.

Then said the King, `I myself will scale this wall, so please God on high! but by means of an expedient for which I require your assistance, and if you lend me the same I shall scale the wall, if it pleases God on high.'

They said, `What is there to be done?'

`Tell me,' said the King, `who is the strongest amongst you.' They replied, `The Chief of the Police, who is your Chaouch.'

The King said, `And who next?'

`The Commander of the Guards.'

`And after him, who?' asked the King.

`The Grand Vizir.'

Omar listened with astonishment. He knew now that it was the King, and his joy was great.

The King said, `Who is there yet?'

Omar replied, `I, O my master.'

The King said to him, `O Omar, you have found out who we are; but do not betray our disguise, and you will be absolved from blame.'

`To hear is to obey,' said Omar.

The King then said to the Chaouch, `Rest your hands against the wall so that your back projects.'

The Chaouch did so.

Then said the King to the Commander of the Guards, `Mount upon the back of the Chaouch.' He did so, and stood with his feet on the other man's shoulders. Then the King ordered the Vizir to mount, and he got on the shoulders of the Commander of the Guards, and put his hands against the wall.

Then said the King, `O Omar, mount upon the highest place!' And Omar, surprised by this expedient, cried, `May God lend you his help, O our master, and assist you in your just enterprise!' He then got on to the shoulders of the Chaouch, and from there upon the back of the Commander of the Guards, and