r. But what is the matter with you? You look pale and bewildered.
You do not seem to have confidence in me; why did you not drink at the
fountain? Have I not told you that without confidence nothing can
succeed?"

"I have confidence," replied Ali; "whoever you are, mighty spirit,
bring me to my Gulhyndi!"

"I am a man like yourself," replied Lockman, "a poor, good-hearted
fellow, who takes pleasure in helping others without thought of
himself. My industry has taught me various secrets of nature; and I
have applied my skill to your deliverance. Having discovered some
magnificent ancient vaults of Babylon, now in ruins for many
generations, I have fitted them for your use; there you may dwell happy
and undisturbed with your fair Gulhyndi. During the day you may walk
in these delightful fields, and at night the magnificent castle beneath
will enclose you within its strong walls. I will serve you as
formerly, and my delight shall be, as it ever has been, to show you my
fidelity and devotedness." When he had said these words, he took Ali
by the hand, and conducted him down a stone staircase.

Ali followed readily; but when he had counted nearly three hundred
steps in his descent into the earth, and still found no end, he began
to quake. It was pitch-dark around him, the only light they had being
from a dark lantern, which Lockman held in his hand, and which shone
full on his face, showing Ali his hideous features. He fancied he
often saw him distort his face, and smile malignantly. Just as he had
counted the three hundred steps he stopped, and cried: "Whither do you
lead me? I can go no farther. My Gulhyndi is an angel of light, she
cannot be in the darkest abodes of the subterranean world."

Lockman burst out into a roar of laughter, making the cavern tremble,
and the light in his lantern was extinguished. "Are you afraid to be
in the dark?" he asked. "Well, then, it shall soon be light!"

He now struck the solid rock with his wand; it burst, and Ali found
himself in a most beautiful place, such as he had never seen. He
seemed to stand in a large church; slender columns of brown porphyry
rose high, like trees, supporting an arched ceiling of emerald, like
intertwined foliage. In the back ground stood a shining globe of red
crystal, semi-transparent, upon an altar. This globe illumined the
whole edifice, and appeared like the full moon in the horizon, shedding
her light into a dark forest. From this p