took the boy by the hand and went with him towards the
_salon_. The nearer they came, the faster beat the boy's heart, and his
knees began to tremble. A servant flung open the door, and revealed
some thirty men standing in a half-circle, all splendidly dressed and
covered with gold and stars (as is the custom in the land of the Franks
for the chief ministers of the king). And Almansor thought that his
plainly-dressed companion must be the least among these. They had all
uncovered their heads, and Almansor now looked around to see who
retained his hat; for that one would be the king. But his search was in
vain; all held their hats in their hands, and the emperor could not be
among them. Then, quite by chance, his eye fell upon his companion, and
behold----he still had his hat on his head!

The boy was utterly confounded. He looked for a long time at his
companion, and then said, as he took off his own hat: "_Salem aleicum_,
Little Corporal! This much I know, that I am not the Sultan of the
Franks, nor is it my place to keep my head covered. But you are the one
who wears a hat; Little Corporal, are you the emperor?"

"You have guessed right," was the answer; "and, more than that, I am
your friend. Do not blame me for your misfortune, but ascribe it to an
unfortunate complication of circumstances, and be assured that you
shall return to your fatherland in the first ship that sails. Go back
now to my wife, and tell her about the Arabic professor and your other
adventures. I will send the herrings and lettuce to the doctor, and you
will, during your stay here, remain in my palace."

Thus spake the emperor. Almansor dropped on his knees before him,
kissed his hand, and begged his forgiveness, as he had not known him to
be the emperor.

"You are right," answered the emperor, laughing. "When one has been an
emperor for only a few days, he cannot be expected to have the seal of
royalty stamped on his forehead." Thus spake the emperor, and motioned
the boy to leave the _salon_.

After this Almansor lived happily. He was permitted to visit the Arabic
professor occasionally, but never saw the doctor again. In the course
of some weeks, the emperor sent for him, and informed him that a ship
was lying at anchor in which he would send him back to Egypt. Almansor
was beside himself with joy. But a few days were required in which to
make his preparations; and with a heart full of thanks, and loaded down
with costly presents, he left