e to carry. I watched him and saw that he purchased many other kinds
of provisions at other places, and when the slave could carry no
more his master commanded him to return home and have supper ready at
midnight.

'When left alone the man went up the street, and turning into a
jeweller's shop, brought out a watch that as far as I could see was made
of silver. He walked on a few steps, then stooped and picked up a gold
watch which lay at his feet. At this point I ran up and told him that
if he did not give me half its price I would report him to the Cadi; he
agreed, and conducting me to his house produced four hundred sequins,
which he said was my share, and having got what I wanted I went away.

'As it was the hour for attending on my lord I returned home and
accompanied you to the Cadi, where I heard the story of the three
Jews and learned the importance of the two watches I had left at the
stranger's. I hastened to his house, but he had gone out, and I could
only find the slave, whom I told that I was the bearer of important news
for his master. Believing me to be one of his friends, he begged me to
wait, and showed me into a room where I saw the two watches lying on
the table. I put them in my pocket, leaving the four hundred sequins
in place of the gold watch and three gold pieces which I knew to be the
price of the other. As you know the watches never remain with the person
who buys them, this man may think himself very lucky to get back
his money. I have wound them both up, and at this instant Aurora and
Argentine are locked safely into my own room.'

Everybody was so delighted to hear this news that Azemi was nearly
stifled with their embraces, and Neangir could hardly be prevented from
running to break in the door, though he did not even know where the page
slept.

But the page begged to have the honour of fetching the ladies himself,
and soon returned leading them by the hand.

For some minutes all was a happy confusion, and Ibrahim took advantage
of it to fall on his knees before Aurora, and search in the fifth fold
of her dress for the missing coral bead. The Book of Spells had told the
truth; there it was, and as the chaplet was now complete the young man's
days of seeking were over.

In the midst of the general rejoicing Hassan alone bore a gloomy face.

'Alas!' he said, 'everyone is happy but the miserable being you see
before you. I have lost the only consolation in my grief, which was to
feel th