“Accordingly, once every year, [his late majesty] used to visit Maliki Sadik and stay near a month with him, having carried thither with him many kinds of essences, [386] and the rarities of this country, [as a present].  When he took his leave, Maliki Sadik used to give him the figure of a monkey made of emerald, and our king used to bring it and place it in these lower rooms; no one but myself knew the circumstance.  Once I observed to your father, O mighty king, you carry with you thousands of rupees’-worth of rarities, and you bring back from thence the figure of a lifeless monkey in stone; what is the advantage of this [exchange] in the end?  In answer to my question, he smiling, said, ’Beware, and do not, in any way divulge this secret; the information [you receive] is on this condition.  Each one of these lifeless monkeys which thou seest has a thousand powerful demons [387] at his command, ready to obey his orders; but until I have the number of forty monkeys complete, so long are all these of no use, and will be of no service to me.’  So one monkey was wanting [to complete the efficient number] in that very year, when the king died.

“All this toil then has been of no avail, nor has the advantage of it been displayed.  O prince, I recollected this circumstance on seeing your forlorn situation, and determined within myself to conduct you by some means or other to Maliki Sadik, and mention to him your uncle’s tyranny.  It is most likely that he, recollecting your father’s friendship for him, may give you the one monkey which is wanting [to complete the number]; then, with their aid, you may get your empire, and reign peaceably over China and Machin, [388] and your life, at least, will be secured by this proceeding, if nothing else can be done; I see no other way to escape from the hands of this tyrant, except the plan I propose.”  On hearing all these consoling circumstances from Mubarak, I said to him, “O friend, you are now the disposer of my life; do whatever is best with regard to me.”  Giving me every confidence, he went to the bazar to buy some ’itr and bukhur, [389] and whatever he deemed fit to be carried [as a present for Maliki Sadik].

The next day, he went to my impious uncle, who was a second Abu-Jahal, [390] and said, “Protector of the world, I have formed a plan in my heart for destroying the prince, and if you order me, I will relate it.”  That wretch was quite pleased, and said, “What is the plan?” Then Mubarak said, “By putting him to death [here], your majesty will be highly censured in every way; but I will take him out to the woods, finish him, bury him, and return; no one will be conversant [of the fact].”  On hearing this plan of Mubarak’s, the king said, “It is an excellent [plan]; I desire this, that he may not live in safety; I am greatly afraid of him in my heart, and if thou relievest me from this anxiety, then in return for that service thou shalt obtain much; take him where thou wilt, and make away with him, and bring me the welcome tidings.”