have been cause to doubt."

The next day a favourable south wind blew; they weighed anchor, and
the ship, under press of sail, left the harbour for the open sea.

The voyage was prosperous. No cloud overcast the heavens, the wind
continued favourable, and, in the shortest possible time, they landed
in the Port of Balsora. There lay many new ships at anchor, ready
prepared, and laden with various wares.

"See," said the active captain to Jussuf, in saying farewell; "these
new ships belong also to the same Lord Jussuf. Do not forget when you
go into the city to see his palace, and also his warehouse in the
bazaar."

Jussuf promised not to forget it; and, on his entrance into the city,
went straight to the bazaar. He passed through the row where his
warehouse used to stand, and was astonished to see a much larger one
in its place, adorned on the outside with precious metals and costly
stones; but in the interior was contained riches and a great heap of
jewels, such as he had seen in the subterranean chambers of the ruins
near Shiraz.

He pushed through the crowd, and saw that six young men were
unceasingly occupied in selling. He pressed forward, and stood
immediately before one of the traders.

"To whom does this warehouse belong?" asked he, when no buyer seemed
ready to occupy him.

"You must only have arrived here to-day, if you do not know that there
is only one merchant in Balsora who can display such riches. You must
have heard the name of the merchant Jussuf, the king of merchants!"

"Oh, yes! I have certainly heard that name," answered Jussuf; "but I
thought that he had shut up his warehouse, and gone on a far journey."

"That is very true," replied the young man; "but a few weeks ago he
sent his brother, Hassan Assad, who carries on the commerce, and has
taken account of the treasures which he sends here from his journeys.
This business is much increased; it is well seen that my Lord Jussuf
does not leave his affairs in strange hands without good reason."

"You named his brother, and I have heard that your lord had no
brother. What do you, then, mean?" asked Jussuf.

"Hassan Assad is not his brother, but his wife's brother," was the
answer.

"His wife?" asked Jussuf, with unfeigned astonishment.

"I know not how it seems to you," said the young man. "What is there
so much to be wondered at, and to stand with open mouth? Why should
not my Lord Jussuf have a wife? for he might have them by the dozen.