without mentioning a word of what had happened, sat
down, and complained of a great pain which had suddenly seized his
head. On hearing this, the princess told him how she had invited the
holy Fatima to stay with her, and that she was now in the palace; and
at the request of the prince, ordered her to be summoned to her at
once.

When the pretended Fatima came, Aladdin said, "Come hither, good
mother; I am glad to see you here at so fortunate a time. I am
tormented with a violent pain in my head, and request your assistance,
and hope you will not refuse me that cure which you impart to
afflicted persons."

So saying, he arose, but held down his head. The counterfeit Fatima
advanced toward him, with his hand all the time on a dagger concealed
in his girdle under his gown. Observing this, Aladdin snatched the
weapon from his hand, pierced him to the heart with his own dagger,
and then pushed him down on the floor.

"My dear prince, what have you done?" cried the princess, in surprise.
"You have killed the holy woman!"

"No, my princess," answered Aladdin, with emotion, "I have not killed
Fatima, but a villain who would have assassinated me, if I had not
prevented him. This wicked man," added he, uncovering his face, "is
the brother of the magician who attempted our ruin. He has strangled
the true Fatima, and disguised himself in her clothes with intent to
murder me."

Aladdin then informed her how the genie had told him these facts, and
how narrowly she and the palace had escaped destruction though his
treacherous suggestion which had led to her request.

Thus was Aladdin delivered from the persecution of the two brothers,
who were magicians. Within a few years the sultan died in a good old
age, and as he left no male children, the Princess Buddir al Buddoor
succeeded him, and she and Aladdin reigned together many years, and
left a numerous and illustrious posterity.

[Illustration]

THE HISTORY OF ALI BABA, AND OF THE FORTY ROBBERS KILLED BY ONE SLAVE

There once lived in a town of Persia two brothers, one named Cassim
and the other Ali Baba. Their father divided a small inheritance
equally between them. Cassim married a very rich wife, and became a
wealthy merchant. Ali Baba married a woman as poor as himself, and
lived by cutting wood, and bringing it upon three asses into the town
to sell.

One day, when Ali Baba was in the forest and had just cut wood enough
to load his asses, he saw at a distan