It was scarcely day when the report of the robbery spread through the city, and a great many of his friends and neighbours came to his house to express their concern for his misfortune; but were curious to know the particulars.  He thanked them for their affection, and had at least the consolation, that he heard no one mention Schemselnihar. or the prince of Persia:  which made him believe they were at their houses, or in some secure place.

When the jeweller was alone, his servants brought him something to eat, but he had no appetite.  About noon one of his slaves came to tell him there was a man at the gate, whom he knew not, that desired to speak with him.  The jeweller, not choosing to receive a stranger into his house, rose up, and went to speak to him.  “Though you do not know me,” said the man; “I know you, and I am come to talk to you about an important affair.”  The jeweller desired him to come in.  “No,” answered the stranger “if you please, rather take the trouble to go with me to your other house.”  “How know you,” asked the jeweller, “that I have another house?” “I know very well,” answered the stranger; “follow me, and do not fear any thing:  I have something to communicate which will please you.”  The jeweller went immediately with him; and after he had considered by the way how the house they were going to had been robbed, he said to him that it was not fit to receive him.

When they were before the house, and the stranger saw the gate half broken down, he said to the jeweller, “I see you have told me the truth.  I will conduct you to a place where we shall be better accommodated.”  When he had thus spoken, he went on, and walked all the rest of the day without stopping.  The jeweller being fatigued with his walk, vexed to see night approach, and that the stranger went on without telling him where he was going, began to lose his patience, when they came to a path which led to the Tigris.  As soon as they reached the river, they embarked in a little boat, and went over.  The stranger led the jeweller through a long street, where he had never been before; and after he had brought him through several by-streets, he stopped at a gate, which he opened.  He made the jeweller go in before him, he then shut and bolted the gate, with a huge iron bolt, and conducted him to a chamber, where there were ten other men, all of them as great strangers to the jeweller as he who had brought him hither.

These ten men received him without much ceremony.  They desired him to sit down, of which he had great need; for he was not only out of breath with walking so far, but his terror at finding himself with people whom he thought he had reason to fear would have disabled him from standing.  They waited for their leader to go to supper, and as soon as he came it was served up.  They washed their hands, obliged the jeweller to do the like, and to sit at table with them.  After supper the men asked him, if he knew whom he