But little light now entered the window, for it was late in the afternoon.  Ranadar went up to it and tried to pull the iron from its place, but in vain.  Then he quickly but stealthily prepared to saw the iron through.  There were eight bars in each grating through which he would have to cut.  By working steadily through the greater part of the first night, he was able to take out the first grating, and finish half of the other.

“Now,” said he, toward morning, “so much is done.  To-morrow I will be out.  But good heaven!  Holy virgin!” he exclaimed, suddenly putting his hand to his breast.  “Ah, kind heaven, thou hast not yet deserted me.”

He took out a small bundle in which there were dates, and with a portion of these he satisfied his hunger.  Night came on and found him with an unconquered spirit, still laboring at his work.  At last, when it might have been an hour before midnight, the outer grating was displaced, and Ranadar passed through.

He found himself in a narrow passage which went for a long distance on either side.  For a time he hesitated which way to choose, but at length, he turned toward the left and went on.  He walked for a long distance, and at last came to a door, which, opening, disclosed a flight of steps.  The blast of fresh air told Ranadar that here was a way to escape, for it led to the outside.  The air also had the freshness of the sea, and brought with it the perfumes of distant shores, There was another flight of steps on the left at the top of which was a narrow chink, through which a feeble ray of light passed.  The fugitive paused a moment, looked up the steps before him, and then up the others at the light.

“I will go here,” said he, as a sweet stream of music accompanied by a mournful female voice, came down to his ears.  “I will go here,” and drawing his dagger, he went up the narrow steps, and reaching the summit, he saw a small niche in which he might stand and look into the room through an aperture, apparently made for the purpose.  “Ha!” he murmured, “this is some plan of Achmet.  Would that I could meet the villain now!”

Then gazing into the chamber, through the aperture, a beautiful sight met his view.  The room was magnificently furnished.  Rich curtains hung from the walls.  The carpets spread upon the floor were from the looms of Persia, the couches and stools were carved in the most skilful manner.  From the vaulted ceiling a brazen lamp was suspended, whose light cast a mysterious gleam upon the scene.  All was in the most gorgeous and splendid style of oriental voluptuousness.

Upon a couch in one corner of the room reclined a young girl whose lovely countenance threw all else into the shade.  Her dark hair was loose, and her eyes were cast down droopingly, shaded by their long black lashes.  She was dressed in the elegant Grecian costume, and on her head she held a small guitar which she had just finished playing.  Ranadar looked at the beautiful being, filled with wonder and profound astonishment at so much beauty.  What was his amazement when he saw her raise her head and gently sigh his own name?