said, "I know not, except that my head irketh
me sore." Accordingly she sent forthwith to fetch Fatimeh, so she
might lay her hand on his head; whereupon quoth Alaeddin, "Who is this
Fatimeh?" And the princess told him how she had lodged Fatimeh the
recluse with her in the palace. [665]

Meanwhile the slave-girls went and fetched the accursed Maugrabin, and
Alaeddin arose to him, feigning ignorance of his case, and saluted
him, as he had been the true Fatimeh. Moreover he kissed the hem of his
sleeve and welcomed him, [666] saying, "O my Lady Fatimeh, I beseech
thee do me a kindness, since I know thy usances in the matter of the
healing of pains, for that there hath betided me a sore pain in my
head." The Maugrabin could scarce believe his ears of this speech, [667]
for that this was what he sought; so he went up to Alaeddin, as he would
lay his hand on his head, after the fashion of Fatimeh the recluse, and
heal him of his pain. When he drew near-him, he laid one hand on his
head and putting the other under his clothes, drew a dagger, so [668] he
might slay him withal. But Alaeddin was watching him and waited till he
had all to-drawn the dagger, when he gripped him by the hand and taking
the knife from him, planted [669] it in his heart.

When the Lady Bedrulbudour saw this, she cried out and said to him,
"What hath this holy anchoress done, that thou burthenest thyself with
the sore burden of her blood? Hast thou no fear of God, that thou dost
this and hast slain Fatimeh, who was a holy woman and whose divine gifts
were renowned?" Quoth he to her, "I have not slain Fatimeh; nay, I have
slain him who slew her; for that this is the brother of the accursed
Maugrabin enchanter, who took thee and by his sorcery transported the
palace with thee to the land of Africa. Yea, this accursed one was
his brother and came to this country and wrought these frauds, slaying
Fatimeh and donning her clothes and coming hither, so he might take
vengeance on me for his brother. Moreover, it was he who taught thee to
seek of me a Roc's egg, so my destruction should ensue thereof; and if
thou misdoubt of my word, come and see whom I have slain." So saying, he
did off the Maugrabin's chin veil and the Lady Bedrulbudour looked and
saw a man whose beard covered his face; whereupon she at once knew the
truth and said to Alaeddin, "O my beloved, twice have I cast thee into
danger of death;" and he said to her, "O Lady Bedrulbudour, thanks to
th