d there, Ali Baba hid the jars and weapons; and as the mules
were of no use to him, he sent them at different times to be sold in
the market by his slave.

V

The captain of the forty robbers had returned to his cave in the
forest, but found himself so lonely there that the place became
frightful to him. He resolved at the same time to avenge the fate of
his comrades and to bring about the death of Ali Baba. For this
purpose he returned to the town, disguised as a merchant of silks. By
degrees he brought from his cavern many sorts of fine stuffs, and to
dispose of these he took a warehouse that happened to be opposite
Cassim's, which Ali Baba's son had occupied since the death of his
uncle.

He took the name of Cogia Houssain, and as a newcomer was very civil
to the merchants near him. Ali Baba's son was one of the first to
converse with him, and the new merchant was most friendly. Within two
or three days Ali Baba came to see his son, and the captain of the
robbers knew him at once, and soon learned from his son who he was.
From that time forth he was still more polite to Ali Baba's son, who
soon felt bound to repay the many kindnesses of his new friend.

As his own house was small, he arranged with his father that on a
certain afternoon, when he and the merchant were passing by Ali Baba's
house they should stop, and he should ask them both to sup with him.
This plan was carried out, though at first the merchant, with whose
own plans it agreed perfectly, made as if to excuse himself. He even
gave it as a reason for not remaining that he could eat no salt in his
victuals.

"If that is all," said Ali Baba, "it need not deprive me of the honor
of your company;" and he went to the kitchen and told Morgiana to put
no salt into anything she was cooking that evening.

Thus Cogia Houssain was persuaded to stay, but to Morgiana it seemed
very strange that any one should refuse to eat salt. She wished to see
what manner of man it might be, and to this end, when she had finished
what she had to do in the kitchen, she helped Abdalla carry up the
dishes. Looking at Cogia Houssain, she knew him at first sight, in
spite of his disguise, to be the captain of the robbers, and, scanning
him very closely, saw that he had a dagger under his garment.

"I see now why this greatest enemy of my master would eat no salt with
him. He intends to kill him; but I will prevent him."

While they were at