owner of the camel came up to them (for he had heard what they had said, and was convinced, as they had described the beast and his load, that they must have stopped him), crying out, that they had stolen his camel.  “We have not seen him,” answered the princes, “nor touched him.”  “By Allah!” replied he, “none but you can have taken him; and if you will not deliver him up, I will complain of you to the sultan.”  They rejoined, “It is well; let us go to the sultan.”

When all four had reached the palace, information was given of the arrival of the princes, and they were admitted to an audience, the owner of the camel following, who bawled out, “These men, my lord, by their own confession, have stolen my property, for they described him and the load he carried.”

The man then related what each of the princes, had said; upon which the sultan demanded if it was true.  They answered, “My lord, we have not seen the camel; but we chanced, as we were sitting on the grass taking some refreshment, to observe that part of the pasture had been grazed; upon which we supposed that the camel must have been blind of an eye, as the grass was only eaten on one side.  We then observed the dung of a camel in one heap on the ground, which made us agree that its tail must have been cut off, as it is the custom for camels to shake their tails, and scatter it abroad.  On the grass where the camel had lain down, we saw on one side flies collected in great numbers, but none on the other:  this made us conclude that one of the panniers must have contained sweets, and the other only grain.”  Upon hearing the above, the sultan said to the complainant, “Friend, go and look for thy camel, for these observations do not prove the theft on the accused, but only the strength of their understandings and penetration.”

The sultan now ordered apartments for the princes, and directed that they should be entertained in a manner befitting their rank; after which he left them to their repose.  In the evening, when the usual meal was brought in, the elder prince having taken up a cake of bread, said, “This bread, I am sure, was made by a sick woman.”  The second, on tasting some kid, exclaimed, “This kid was suckled by a bitch:”  and the third cried out, “Certainly this sultan must be illegitimate.”  At this instant the sultan, who had been listening, entered hastily, and exclaimed, “Wherefore utter ye these affronting speeches?” “Inquire,” replied the princes,” into what you have heard, and you will find all true.”

The sultan now retired to his haram, and on inquiry, found that the woman who had kneaded the bread was sick.  He then sent for the shepherd, who owned that the dam of the kid having died, he had suckled it upon a bitch.  Next, in a violent passion, he proceeded to the apartments of the sultana mother, and brandishing his cimeter—­threatened her with death, unless she confessed whether he was son to the late sultan or not.