ad given them any reason for so doing,
and they answering that he had given them none, he ordered a horse to
be brought, which he mounted, and rode to his son-in-law's palace,
with some few attendants on foot, to inquire why he had ordered the
completion of the window to be stopped.

Aladdin met him at the gate, and without giving any reply to his
inquiries conducted him to the grand saloon, where the sultan, to his
great surprise, found that the window, which was left imperfect,
corresponded exactly with the others. He fancied at first that he was
mistaken, and examined the two windows on each side, and afterward all
the four-and-twenty; but when he was convinced that the window which
several workmen had been so long about was finished in so short a
time, he embraced Aladdin and kissed him between his eyes.

"My son," said he, "what a man you are to do such surprising things
always in the twinkling of an eye! There is not your fellow in the
world; the more I know, the more I admire you."

The sultan returned to the palace, and after this went frequently to
the window to contemplate and admire the wonderful palace of his
son-in-law.

Aladdin did not confine himself in his palace, but went with much
state, sometimes to one mosque, and sometimes to another, to prayers,
or to visit the grand vizier or the principal lords of the court.
Every time he went out he caused two slaves, who walked by the side of
his horse, to throw handfuls of money among the people as he passed
through the streets and squares. This generosity gained him the love
and blessings of the people, and it was common for them to swear by
his head.[46] Thus Aladdin, while he paid all respect to the sultan,
won by his affable behavior and liberality the affection of the
people.

[Footnote 46: There is a trace of this custom in Joseph swearing to
his brethren, "By the life of Pharaoh, ye are spies!"]

Aladdin had conducted himself in this manner several years, when the
African magician, who had for some years dismissed him from his
recollection, determined to inform himself with certainty whether he
perished, as he supposed, in the subterranean cave or not. After he
had resorted to a long course of magic ceremonies, and had formed a
horoscope by which to ascertain Aladdin's fate, what was his surprise
to find the appearances to declare that Aladdin, instead of dying in
the cave, had made his escape, and was living in royal splendor by the
aid of the