“Yes,” would he answer, and came down in haste, but saw no one and she said to him, “By my life, look and speak naught but sooth!” Then he cried to her, “Arise, let us depart this place, for ’tis full of Jinn and Marids."[FN#373] Accordingly, they returned to their house and nighted there, and the man arose in the morning, assured that this was all but phantasy and fascination.  And so the lover won his wicked will.  “Nor, O king of the age,” continued the Wazir, “is this stranger than the story of the King and the Tither.”  When the king heard this from the Minister, he bade him go away, and he went.

The Tenth Night of the Month.

When it was eventide, the king summoned the Wazir and sought of him the story of the King and the Tither, and he said, “Hear, O king,

The Tale of the Unjust King and the Tither.

There was once a king of the kings of the earth, who dwelt in a flourishing city, abounding in good; but he wronged its people and entreated them foully, so that he ruined the city; and he was named naught else but tyrant and oppressor.  Now he was wont, whenas he heard of a violent man in another land, to send after him and lure him with lucre to take service with him; and there was a certain Tither, who exceeded all other Tithers in oppression of the people and foul dealing.  So the king sent after him and when he stood before him, he found him a man of mighty fine presence and said to him, “Thou hast been described to me, but I see thou surpassest the description.  Set out to me some of thy doings and sayings, so I may be dispensed therewith from enquiring into the whole of thy case.”  Answered the other, “With all my heart!  Know, O King, that I oppress the folk and people the land, whilst other than I ruineth it and peopleth it not.”  Now the king was leaning back:  but presently he sat upright and said, “Tell me of this.”  The Tither replied, “’Tis well:  I go to the man whom I purpose to tithe and cozen him and feign to be busied with certain business, so that I seclude myself therewith from the people; and meanwhile the man is squeezed with the foulest of extortion, till naught of money is left him.  Then I appear and they come in to me and questions arise concerning him and I say, ’Indeed, I was ordered worse than this, for some one (may Allah curse him!) hath slandered him to the king.’  Presently I take half of his good and return him the rest publicly before the folk and dismiss him to his house, in all honour and worship, and he garreth the money returned be carried before him, whilst he blesseth me and all who are with him also bless me.  So is it bruited abroad in the city that I have restored to him his monies and he himself notifieth the like, to the intent that he may have a claim on me for the favour due to those who praise me.  On this wise I keep half his property.  Then I seem to forget him till the year[FN#374] hath passed over him, when I send for him and recall to him somewhat of that which hath