THE TALISMAN OF SOLOMON

throw him into prison. He shall stay there and have
fifty lashes every day until he tells me where his wealth ”
as hidden.”

It was done as the king said, and by-and-bye Aben
Hassen the Fool lay in the prison, smarting and sore with
the whipping he had had.

Then he began again to think of the Talisman of Solo-
mon.

“Tell me,” said he to the Talisman, “ what shall I do
_ mow to help myself in this trouble ?”

“ Bear thy punishment, thou fool,” said the Talisman.
“ Know that the king will by-and-bye pardon thee and
will let thee go. In the meantime bear thy punish-
ment; perhaps it will cure thee of thy folly. Only do
not call upon Zadok, the King of the Demons, in this thy
trouble.”

The young man smote his hand upon hishead. ‘“ What
a fool I am,” said he, ‘not to have thought to call upon
Zadok before this!” Then he called aloud, “Zadok,
Zadok! If thou art indeed my slave, come hither at my
bidding.”

In an instant there sounded a rumble as of thunder.
‘The floor swayed and rocked beneath the young man’s
feet. The dust flew in clouds, and there stood Zadok
as black as ink, and with eyes that shone like coals of
fire.

“T have come,” said Zadok, “and first let me cure thy
smarts, O master.”

He removed the cloths from the young man’s back, and
rubbed the places that smarted with a cooling unguent.
Instantly the pain and smarting ceased, and the merchant’s
son had perfect ease. :

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