e about your stupid stones? It is my money I want, my
lawful debt which you owe me, and I shall get it out of you yet
somehow or another, or it will be the worst for you.'

To all his reproaches Dena could answer nothing, but sat with his
hands joined together beseechingly, asking for patience and pity. At
length Lena pretended that, rather than have a bad debt on his hand,
he would be at the loss of taking the stones in lieu of his money;
and, whilst Dena nearly wept with gratitude, he wrote out a receipt
for the three hundred rupees; and, wrapping the four stones in a
cloth, he put them into his bosom, and went off to his house.

'How shall I turn these rubies into money?' thought Lena, as he walked
along; 'I daren't keep them, for they are of great value, and if the
rajah heard that I had them he would probably put me into prison on
some pretence and seize the stones and all else that I have as well.
But what a bargain I have got! Four rubies worth a king's ransom, for
one hundred rupees! Well, well, I must take heed not to betray my
secret.' And he went on making plans. Presently he made up his mind
what to do, and, putting on his cleanest clothes, he set off to the
house of the chief wazir, whose name was Musli, and, after seeking a
private audience, he brought out the four rubies and laid them before
him.

The wazir's eyes sparkled as he beheld the splendid gems.

'Fine, indeed,' murmured he. 'I can't buy them at their real value;
but, if you like to take it, I will give you ten thousand rupees for
the four.'

To this the banker consented gratefully; and handing over the stones
in exchange for the rupees, he hurried home, thanking his stars that
he had driven such a reasonable bargain and obtained such an enormous
profit.

After Lena had departed the wazir began casting about in his mind what
to do with the gems; and very soon determined that the best thing to
do was to present them to the rajah, whose name was Kahre. Without
losing a moment, he went that very day to the palace, and sought a
private interview with the rajah; and when he found himself alone with
his royal master, he brought the four jewels and laid them before him.

'Oh, ho!' said the rajah, 'these are priceless gems, and you have done
well to give them to me. In return I give you and your heirs the
revenues of ten villages.'

Now the wazir was overjoyed at these words, but only made his deepest
obeisance; and, whilst the king put the rub