absence secret: stay in my pavilion, and to-morrow morning, when the
emirs and courtiers come to attend my levee, send them away and tell
them that I am somewhat indisposed and wish to be alone; and the
following days tell them the same thing, till I return."

The grand vizier endeavoured to divert the sultan from this design; he
represented to him the danger to which he might be exposed, and that all
his labour might perhaps be in vain; but it was to no purpose; the
sultan was resolved. He put on a suit fit for walking and took his
cimeter; and as soon as he found that all was quiet in the camp, went
out alone, and passed over one of the hills without much difficulty; he
found the descent still more easy, and when he came to the plain, walked
on till the sun arose, and then he saw before him, at a considerable
distance, a vast building. He rejoiced at the sight, in hopes of
receiving there the information he sought. When he drew near, he found
it was a magnificent palace, or rather a strong castle, of black
polished marble, and covered with fine steel, as smooth as glass. Being
highly pleased that he had so speedily met with something worthy his
curiosity, he stopped before the front of the castle, and considered it
with attention.

He then advanced toward the gate, which had two leaves, one of them
open; though he might immediately have entered, yet he thought it best
to knock. This he did at first softly, and waited for some time; but
seeing no one, and supposing he had not been heard, he knocked harder
the second time, and after that he knocked again and again, but no one
yet appearing, he was exceedingly surprised; for he could not think
that a castle in such repair was without inhabitants. "If there be no
one in it," said he to himself, "I have nothing to fear; and if it be
inhabited, I have wherewith to defend myself."

At last he entered, and when he came within the porch, he cried: "Is
there no one here to receive a stranger who comes in for some
refreshment as he passes by?" He repeated the same words two or three
times; but though he spoke very loud, he was not answered. The silence
increased his astonishment: he came into a spacious court, and looked on
every side for inhabitants, but discovered none.

Perceiving nobody in the court, he entered the grand halls, which were
hung with silk tapestry, the alcoves and sofas covered with stuffs of
Mecca, and the porches with the richest stuffs of India. He came