holy woman and where her place is, for that I have fallen into a calamity and would fain go to her and crave her of prayer, so haply God (to whom belong might and majesty) may deliver me from my stress, by means of her intercession.”  The man accordingly told him of the divine gifts of the holy woman Fatimeh and her piety and the excellence of her devotion; then, taking him by the hand, he carried him without the city and showed him the way to her abiding-place, which was in a cavern on the top of a little hill; whereupon the Maugrabin thanked him amain for his kindness [FN#636] and returned to his place in the Khan.

Now, by the decree of destiny, Fatimeh came down on the morrow to the city and the enchanter, going forth the Khan in the morning, saw the folk crowding together; so he went up, to see what was toward, and found Fatimeh standing, whilst every one who had a pain or an ache came to her, seeking her blessing and soliciting her prayers, and whenas she stroked him, he was made whole of his ailment.  The Maugrabin followed her, till she returned to her cavern, and waited till nightfall, when he arose and entering a sherbet-sellers [FN#637] shop, drank a cup of liquor, [FN#638] then went forth the city, intending for the cavern of Fatimeh the recluse.  When he came thither, he entered and saw her sleeping on her back on a piece of matting; so he went up to her and sitting down [FN#639] on her breast, [FN#640] drew his dagger and cried out at her; whereupon she awoke and opening her eyes, saw a man, a Maugrabin, with a drawn dagger, sitting on her breast [FN#641] and offering to kill her.  So she feared and trembled and he said to her, “Harkye, an thou say aught or cry out, I will kill thee on the spot.  Arise now and do all that I shall bid thee.”  And he swore an oath to her that, if she did for him that which he should bid her, he would not kill her.

Then he rose from her and she rose also, and he said to her, “Give me thy clothes and take mine.”  So she gave him her clothes and head-bands and her kerchief and veil; and he said to her, “Now must thou anoint me, to boot, with somewhat, so my face may become like unto shine in colour.”  Accordingly Fatimeh went within the cavern and bringing out a vial of ointment, took thereof in her palm and anointed his face withal, whereupon it became like unto hers in colour.  Then she gave him her staff and taught him how he should walk and how he should do, whenas he went down into the city; moreover, she put her rosary on his neck and finally giving him the mirror, said to him, “Look now; thou differest not from me in aught.”  So he looked and saw himself as he were Fatimeh herself. [FN#642] Then, when he had gotten his desire, he broke his oath and sought of her a rope; so she brought him a rope and he took her and strangled her therewith in the cavern.  When she was dead, he dragged her forth and cast her into a pit therewithout; then, [FN#643] returning to her cavern, he slept there till the day broke, when he arose and going down into the city, came under Alaeddin’s pavilion. [FN#644]