the wisest man that ever
lived. You had command over the host of the Genii and could control
the legion of the demons. They came at the bidding of your signet
ring, and they trembled at the mysterious names to which you gave
utterance. You understood every living thing. The speech of the beasts
of the field, of the birds of the air, of the insects of the earth,
and of the fishes of the sea, was known unto you. Yet when I read your
history I found that in spite of the vast knowledge that was
vouchsafed unto you, you committed many wrongs and did many foolish
things, which in the end brought misery into the world and destruction
unto your people; and for all these no one has ever punished you. Now
I will punish you," and taking his sword he cut off Solomon's head.

Again the Dervish bent forward and brought forth from the bag another
figure, which he addressed thus:

"Jesus, Jesus, prophet of God, you came into this world to atone, by
giving your blood, for the sins of mankind and to bring unto them a
religion of peace. You founded a church, whose history I have studied,
and I see that it set fathers against their children and brethren
against one another; that it brought strife into the world; that the
lives of men and women and children were sacrificed so that the rivers
ran red with blood unto the seas. Truly you were a great prophet, but
the misery you caused must be avenged. For it no one has yet punished
you. Now I will punish you," and he took his sword and cut off Jesus'
head.

With a sorrowful face the Dervish bent forward and brought forth
another image from the bag.

"Mohammed," he said, "I have slain Job, David, Solomon, and Jesus.
What shall I do with you? After the followers of Jesus had shed much
blood, their religion spread over the world, was acceptable unto man,
and the nations were at peace. Then you came into the world, and you
brought a new religion, and father rose against father, and brother
rose against brother; hatred was sown between your followers and the
followers of Jesus, and again the rivers ran red with blood unto the
seas; and you have not been punished. For this I will punish you. By
the beard of my forefathers, whose blood was made to flow in your
cause, you too must die," and with a blow the head of Mohammed fell to
the ground.

Then the Dervish prostrated himself to the earth, and after a silent
prayer rose and brought forth from the bag the last figure. Reverently
he bowed to i