how so large a palace as Alla ad Deen’s, which he had seen plainly every day for some years, and but the day before, should vanish so soon, and not leave the least remains behind.  “Certainly,” said he to himself, “I am not mistaken; it stood there:  if it had fallen, the materials would have lain in heaps; and if it had been swallowed up by an earthquake, there would be some mark left.”  At last, though he was convinced that no palace stood now opposite his own, he could not help staying some time at his window, to see whether he might not be mistaken.  At last he retired to his apartment, not without looking behind him before he quitted the spot ordered the grand vizier to be sent for with expedition, and in the meantime sat down, his mind agitated by so many different conjectures that he knew not what to resolve.

The grand vizier did not make the sultan wait long for him, but came with so much precipitation, that neither he nor his attendants, as they passed, missed Alla ad Deen’s palace; neither did the porters, when they opened the palace gates observe any alteration.

When he came into the sultan’s presence, he said to him, ‘"The haste in which your majesty sent for me makes me believe something extraordinary has happened, since you know that this is a day of public audience, and I should not have failed of attending at the usual time.”  “Indeed,” said the sultan, “it is something very extraordinary, as you say, and you will allow it to be so:  tell me what is become of Alla ad Deen’s palace?” “His palace!” replied the grand vizier, in amazement, “I thought as I passed it stood in its usual place; such substantial buildings are not so easily removed.”  “Go into my closet,” said the sultan, “and tell me if you can see it.”

The grand vizier went into the closet, where he was struck with no less amazement than the sultan had been.  When he was well assured that there was not the least appearance of this palace, he returned to the sultan.  “Well,” said the sultan, :have you seen Alla ad Deen’s palace?” “No,” answered the vizier; “but your majesty may remember that I had the honour to tell you, that palace, which was the subject of your admiration, with all its immense riches, was only the work of magic and a magician; but your majesty would not pay the least attention to what I said.”

The sultan, who could not deny what the grand vizier had represented to him, flew into the greater passion:  “Where is that impostor, that wicked wretch,” said he, “that I may have his head taken off immediately?” “Sir,” replied the grand vizier, “it is some days since he came to take his leave of your majesty, on pretence of hunting; he ought to be sent for, to know what is become of his palace, since he cannot be ignorant of what has been transacted.”  “That is too great an indulgence,” replied the sultan:  “command a detachment of horse to bring him to me loaded with chains.”  The grand vizier gave orders for a detachment, and instructed the officer who commanded them how they were to act, that Alla ad Deen might not escape.  The detachment pursued their orders; and about five or six leagues from the town met him returning from the chase.  The officer advanced respectfully, and informed him the sultan was so impatient to see him, that he had sent his party to accompany him home.