210 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

waiting for them, and that, receiving no intelligence of them, my
uneasiness had induced me to undertake the journey. They
received me very kindly, and promised to intercede with my
father, so that he should not be displeased at my quitting
Damascus without his permission. I lodged in the same khan
with them, and saw everything that was worthy of attention in
Cairo.

“ As they had sold all their merchandise, they talked of re-
turning to Moussoul, and were already beginning to make pre-
parations for their departure ; but as I had not seen all that I
wished in Egypt, I left my uncles and went to lodge in a quarter
very distant from their khan, and did not make my appearance
till they had set off. They sought me for a considerable time,
but not being able to find me, they supposed that, touched with
remorse at coming to Egypt against the will of my father, I had
returned to Damascus without acquainting them, and they left
Cairo in the hopes of meeting me there, where I could join them
and return home. q

“] remained at Cairo after their departure, and lived there
three years to gratify my curiosity in examining the wonders of
Egypt. During that time I took care to send my rent to the
proprietor of the house, expressing my intention of returning
to it.

“On my returning to Damascus I dismounted at the door of
my landlord, who received me with joy, and would accompany
me to my house, to shew that no one had been in it during my
absence. In fact, the seal was still entire on the lock. I entered,
and found everything in the state I had left it.

“In cleaning and sweeping the room, where I had regaled the
two ladies, one of my servants found a gold necklace in the form
of a chain, in which, from space to space, were ten pearls very
large and perfect. He brought it me, and I knew it to be that
which I had seen on the neck of the young lady who was
poisoned. 1 supposed that it had got loose, and had fallen with-
out my perceiving it. I wrapped it up and put it carefully in
my bosom.

“J passed some days in recovering trom the fatigue of my
journey, after which I began to visit those with whom I had
been formerly acquainted. I gave myself up to all kinds of
pleasure, and -insensibly spent all my money. Reduced to this