THE FORTY THIEVES 253

to be dressed that night, and to make quickly
two or three ragouts besides what he had ordered,
but be sure to put no salt in them.

Morgiana, who was always ready to obey her
master, could not help this time seeming some-
what dissatisfied at his strange order. ‘Who
is this difficult man,” said she, “who eats no
salt with his meat? Your supper will be spoiled
if I keep it back so long.” “Do not be angry,
Morgiana,” replied Ali Baba: “he is an honest
man; therefore do as I bid you.”

Morgiana obeyed, though with no little reluct-
ance, and had a curiosity to see this -man who
ate no salt. To this end, when she had finished
what she had to do in the kitchen, she helped
Abdoollah to carry up the dishes; and looking
at Khaujeh Houssain, knew him at first sight,
notwithstanding his disguise, to be the captain
of the robbers, and examining him very carefully,
perceived that he had a dagger under his gar-
ment. “I am not in the least amazed,” said
she to herself, “that this wicked wretch, who
is my master’s greatest enemy, would eat no
salt with him, since he intends to assassinate
him ; but I will prevent him.”

Morgiana, while they were eating, made the
necessary preparations for executing one of the