“Princess,” said Aladdin, interrupting her, “you have explained all by telling me we are in Africa I desire you only to tell me if you know where the old lamp now is.”  “The African magician carries it carefully wrapt up in his bosom,” said the princess; “and this I can assure you, because he pulled it out before me, and showed it to me in triumph.”

“Princess,” said Aladdin, “I think I have found the means to deliver you and to regain possession of the lamp, on which all my prosperity depends; to execute this design it is necessary for me to go to the town.  I shall return by noon, and will then tell you what must be done by you to insure success.  In the mean time, I shall disguise myself, and beg that the private door may be opened at the first knock.”

When Aladdin was out of the palace, he looked round him on all sides, and perceiving a peasant going into the country, hastened after him; and when he had overtaken him, made a proposal to him to change clothes, which the man agreed to.  When they had made the exchange, the countryman went about his business, and Aladdin entered the neighbouring city.  After traversing several streets, he came to that part of the town where the merchants and artisans had their particular streets according to their trades.  He went into that of the druggists; and entering one of the largest and best furnished shops, asked the druggist if he had a certain powder, which he named.

The druggist, judging Aladdin by his habit to be very poor, told him he had it, but that it was very dear; upon which Aladdin, penetrating his thoughts, pulled out his purse, and showing him some gold, asked for half a dram of the powder; which the druggist weighed and gave him, telling him the price was a piece of gold.  Aladdin put the money into his hand, and hastened to the palace, which he entered at once by the private door.  When he came into the princess’s apartments, he said to her, “Princess, you must take your part in the scheme which I propose for our deliverance.  You must overcome your aversion to the magician, and assume a most friendly manner toward him, and ask him to oblige you by partaking of an entertainment in your apartments.  Before he leaves, ask him to exchange cups with you, which he, gratified at the honour you do him, will gladly do, when you must give him the cup containing this powder.  On drinking it he will instantly fall asleep, and we will obtain the lamp, whose slaves will do all our bidding, and restore us and the palace to the capital of China.”

The princess obeyed to the utmost her husband’s instructions.  She assumed a look of pleasure on the next visit of the magician, and asked him to an entertainment, which he most willingly accepted.  At the close of the evening, during which the princess had tried all she could to please him, she asked him to exchange cups with her, and giving the signal, had the drugged cup brought to her, which she gave to the magician.  He drank it out of compliment to the princess to the very last drop, when he fell backward lifeless on the sofa.