hesitated to enter in and stood to make his excuses and walk away But when the door was opened by the slave-porter, Ali Baba’s nephew seized his companion’s hand and after abundant persuasion led him in, whereat he entered with great show of cheerfulness as though much pleased and honoured.  The house-master received him with all favour and worship and asked him of his welfare, and said to him “O my lord, I am obliged and thankful to thee for that thou hast strewn favour to the son of my brother and I perceive that thou regardest him with an affection even fonder than my own.”  Khwajah Hasan replied with pleasant words and said, “Thy nephew vastly taketh my fancy and in him I am well pleased, for that although young in years yet he hath been endued by Allah with much of wisdom.”  Thus they twain conversed with friendly conversation and presently the guest rose to depart and said, “O my lord, thy slave must now farewell thee; but on some future day—­Inshallah he will again wait upon thee.”  Ali Baba, however, would not let him leave and asked, “Whither wendest thou, O my friend?  I would invite thee to my table and I pray thee sit at meat with us and after hie thee home in peace.  Perchance the dishes are not as delicate as those whereof thou art wont to eat, still deign grant me this request I pray thee and refresh thyself with my victual.”  Quoth Khwajah Hasan, “O my lord I am beholden to thee for thy gracious invitation, and with pleasure would I sit at meat with thee, but for a special reason must I needs excuse myself; suffer me therefore to depart for I may not tarry longer nor accept thy gracious offer.”  Hereto the host made reply, “I pray thee, O my lord, tell me what may be the reason so urgent and weighty?” And Khwajah Hasan answered, “The cause is this:  I must not, by order of the physician, who cured me lately of my complaint, eat aught of food prepared with salt.”  Quoth Ali Baba, “An this be all, deprive me not, I pray thee, of the honour thy company will confer upon me:  as the meats are not yet cooked, I will forbid the kitchener to make use of any salt.  Tarry here awhile and I will return anon to thee.”  So saying Ali Baba went in to Morgiana and bade her not put salt into any one of the dishes; and she, while busied with her cooking, fell to marvelling greatly at such order and asked her master, “Who is he that eateth meat wherein is no salt?” He answered, “What to thee mattereth it who he may be? only do thou my bidding.”  She rejoined, " ’Tis well:  all shall be as thou wishest;” but in mind she wondered at the man who made such strange request and desired much to look upon him.  Wherefore, when all the meats were ready for serving up, she helped the slave-boy Abdullah to spread the table and set on the meal; and no sooner did she see Khwajah Hasan than she knew who he was, albeit he had disguised himself in the dress of a stranger merchant; furthermore, when she eyed him attentively she espied a dagger hidden under his robe.  “So ho!” quoth she to herself, “this is the cause why the villain eateth not of salt, for that he seeketh an opportunity to slay my master whose mortal enemy he is; howbeit I will be beforehand with him and despatch him ere he find a chance to harm my lord.”—­And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till