“After having seen this,” said the Sultan, “I cannot rest.  These fish signify some mystery I must clear up.”

He sent for the fisherman.  “Fisherman,” he said, “the fish you have brought us have caused me some anxiety.  Where did you get them from?”

“Sire,” he answered, “I got them from a lake which lies in the middle of four hills beyond yonder mountains.”

“Do you know this lake?” asked the Sultan of the grand-vizir.

“No; though I have hunted many times round that mountain, I have never heard of it,” said the vizir.

As the fisherman said it was only three hours’ journey away, the sultan ordered his whole court to mount and ride thither, and the fisherman led them.

They climbed the mountain, and then, on the other side, saw the lake as the fisherman had described.  The water was so clear that they could see the four kinds of fish swimming about in it.  They looked at them for some time, and then the Sultan ordered them to make a camp by the edge of the water.

When night came the Sultan called his vizir, and said to him, “I have resolved to clear up this mystery.  I am going out alone, and do you stay here in my tent, and when my ministers come to-morrow, say I am not well, and cannot see them.  Do this each day till I return.”

The grand-vizir tried to persuade the Sultan not to go, but in vain.  The Sultan took off his state robe and put on his sword, and when he saw all was quiet in the camp he set forth alone.

He climbed one of the hills, and then crossed the great plain, till, just as the sun rose, he beheld far in front of him a large building.  When he came near to it he saw it was a splendid palace of beautiful black polished marble, covered with steel as smooth as a mirror.

He went to the gate, which stood half open, and went in, as nobody came when he knocked.  He passed through a magnificent courtyard and still saw no one, though he called aloud several times.

He entered large halls where the carpets were of silk, the lounges and sofas covered with tapestry from Mecca, and the hangings of the most beautiful Indian stuffs of gold and silver.  Then he found himself in a splendid room, with a fountain supported by golden lions.  The water out of the lions’ mouths turned into diamonds and pearls, and the leaping water almost touched a most beautifully-painted dome.  The palace was surrounded on three sides by magnificent gardens, little lakes, and woods.  Birds sang in the trees, which were netted over to keep them always there.

Still the Sultan saw no one, till he heard a plaintive cry, and a voice which said, “Oh that I could die, for I am too unhappy to wish to live any longer!”

The Sultan looked round to discover who it was who thus bemoaned his fate, and at last saw a handsome young man, richly clothed, who was sitting on a throne raised slightly from the ground.  His face was very sad.