ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES. 25

her what had happened to Cassim, he
led the other ass to his sister-in-law.

Ali Baba knocked at the door, which
was opened to him by Morgiana, who was
a female slave, clever, and full of invention.
When he had entered the court he took
off the wood and the two packages from
the ass, and taking her aside, ‘‘ Morgiana,”
said he, “the first thing I have to
ask you is to keep.a deep secret! These
two packets contain the body of your
master, and we must bury him as if he
had died a natural death. Let me speak
to your mistress, and hearken what I say
. to her.”

-Morgiana went to call her mistress, and
Ali Baba then told her all that had
happened, until his arrival with the body
of Cassim: “‘ Sister,” added he, “here is
a sad affliction for you, but we must con-
trive to bury my brother as if he had died
anatural death; and then we shall be glad
to offer you a shelter under our own roof.”
_ The widow of Cassim reflected that
she could not do better than consent.
She therefore wiped away her tears,
which had begun to flow, and suppressed.
her mournful cries, and thereby. showed
Ali Baba that she accepted his offer.

Ali Baba left her in this frame of mind,