When the favourite had concluded these insinuations, the sultan said, “I do not believe my son Ahmed is so wicked as you would persuade me he is; however, I am obliged to you for your advice, and do not doubt that it proceeds from good intention and loyalty to my person.”

The sultan of the Indies said this, that his favourites might not know the impressions their observations had made on his mind.  He was, however, so much alarmed by them, that he resolved to have prince Ahmed watched, unknown to his grand vizier.  For this end he sent for the sorceress, who was introduced by a private door into his closet.  “You told me the truth,” said he, “when you assured me my son Ahmed was alive, for which I am obliged to you.  You must do me another kindness.  I have seen him since, and he comes to my court every month; but I cannot learn from him where he resides, and do not wish to force his secret from him; but believe you are capable of satisfying my curiosity, without letting him, or any of my court, know any thing of the discovery.  You know that he is at this time with me, and usually departs without taking leave of me, or any of my court.  Place yourself immediately upon the road, and watch him so as to find out where he retires, and bring me information.”

The sorceress left the sultan, and knowing the place where prince Ahmed had found his arrow, went immediately thither, and concealed herself near the rocks, so as not to be seen.

The next morning prince Ahmed set out by daybreak, without taking leave either of the sultan or any of his court, according to custom.  The sorceress seeing him coming, followed him with her eyes, till suddenly she lost sight of him and his attendants.

The steepness of the rocks formed an insurmountable barrier to men, whether on horseback or on foot, so that the sorceress judged that the prince retired either into some cavern, or some subterraneous place, the abode of genies or fairies.  When she thought the prince and his attendants must have far advanced into whatever concealment they inhabited, she came out of the place where she had hidden herself, and explored the hollow way where she had lost sight of them.  She entered it, and proceeding to the spot where it terminated after many windings, looked carefully on all sides.  But notwithstanding all her acuteness she could perceive no opening, nor the iron gate which prince Ahmed had discovered.  For this door was to be seen by or opened to none but men, and only to those whose presence was agreeable to the fairy Perie Banou, but not at all to women.

The sorceress, who saw it was in vain for her to search any farther, was obliged to be satisfied with the insufficient discovery she had made, and returned to communicate it to the sultan.  When she had told him what she had explored, she added, “Your majesty may easily understand, after what I have had the honour to tell you, that it will be no difficult matter to obtain you the satisfaction you desire concerning prince Ahmed’s conduct.  To do this, I only ask time, that you will have patience, and give me leave to act, without inquiring what measures I design to take.”