a gold coin into the tambourine, and his nephew likewise put in an Ashrafi; then Khwajah Hasan, seeing her about to approach him, fell to pulling out his purse, when she heartened her heart and quick as the blinding levee she plunged the dagger into his vitals, and forthwith the miscreant fell back stone dead.  Ali Baba was dismayed and cried in his wrath, “O unhappy, what is this deed thou hast done to bring about my ruin!” But she replied, “Nay, O my lord, rather to save thee and not to cause thee harm have I slain this man:  loosen his garments and see what thou wilt discover thereunder.”  So Ali Baba searched the dead man’s dress and found concealed therein a dagger.  Then said Morgiana, “This wretch was thy deadly enemy.  Consider him well:  he is none other than the oil-merchant, the Captain of the band of robbers.  Whenas he came hither with intent to take thy life, he would not eat thy salt; and when thou toldest me that he wished not any in the meat I suspected him and at first sight I was assured that he would surely do thee die; Almighty Allah be praised ’tis even as I thought.”  Then Ali Baba lavished upon her thanks and expressions of gratitude, saying, “Lo, these two times hast thou saved me from his hand,” and falling upon her neck he cried, “See thou art free, and as reward for this thy fealty I have wedded thee to my nephew.”  Then turning to the youth he said, “Do as I bid thee and thou shalt prosper.  I would that thou marry Morgiana, who is a model of duty and loyalty:  thou seest now yon Khwajah Hasan sought thy friendship only that he might find opportunity to take my life, but this maiden with her good sense and her wisdom hath slain him and saved us.”  And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till

      The end of the Six Hundred and Thirty-eighth Night.

Then said she:—­I have heard, O auspicious King, that Ali Baba’s nephew straightway consented to marry Morgiana.  After which the three, raising the dead body bore it forth with all heed and vigilance and privily buried it in the garden, and for many years no one knew aught thereof.  In due time Ali Baba married his brother’s son to Morgiana with great pomp, and spread a bride-feast in most sumptuous fashion for his friends and neighbours, and made merry with them and enjoyed singing and all manner of dancing and amusements.  He prospered in every undertaking and Time smiled upon him and a new source of wealth was opened to him.  For fear of the thieves he had not once visited the jungle-cave wherein lay the treasure, since the day he had carried forth the corpse of his brother Kasim.  But some time after, he mounted his hackney one morning and journeyed thither, with all care and caution, till finding no signs of man or horse, and reassured in his mind he ventured to draw near the door.  Then alighting from his beast he tied it up to a tree, and going to the entrance pronounced the words which he had not forgotten, “Open, O Simsim!” Hereat, as was its wont, the door