ned to his wife that this mad idea of hers
would bring him to an unhappy end. She, however, could not be moved,
and insisted on his going to the highway, there to wisely practise
the art, and thus ultimately become the Chief Astrologer.

In obedience to his wife's instructions, Ahmet sat down on the
highroad, and his oppressed spirit sought comfort in looking at the
heavens and sighing deeply. While in this condition a Hanoum in great
excitement came and asked him if he communicated with the stars. Poor
Ahmet sighed, saying that he was compelled to converse with them.

"Then please tell me where my diamond ring is, and I will both bless
and handsomely reward you."

The Hanoum, with this, immediately squatted on the ground, and began
to tell Ahmet that she had gone to the bath that morning and that she
was positive that she then had the ring, but every corner of the Hamam
had been searched, and the ring was not to be found.

"Oh! astrologer, for the love of Allah, exert your eye to see the
unseen."

"Hanoum Effendi," replied Ahmet, the instant her excited flow of
language had ceased, "I perceive a rent," referring to a tear he had
noticed in her shalvars or baggy trousers. Up jumped the Hanoum,
exclaiming:

"A thousand holy thanks! You are right! Now I remember! I put the ring
in a crevice of the cold water fountain." And in her gratitude she
handed Ahmet several gold pieces.

In the evening he returned to his home, and giving the gold to his
wife, said: "Take this money, wife; may it satisfy you, and in return
all I ask is that you allow me to go back to the trade of my father,
and not expose me to the danger and suffering of trudging the road
shoeless."

But her purpose was unmoved. Until he became the Chief Astrologer she
would neither call him nor think of him as her husband.

In the meantime, owing to the discovery of the ring, the fame of Ahmet
the cobbler spread far and wide. The tongue of the Hanoum never
ceased to sound his praise.

It happened that the wife of a certain Pasha had appropriated a
valuable diamond necklace, and as a last resource, the Pasha
determined, seeing that all the astrologers, Hodjas, and diviners had
failed to discover the article, to consult Ahmet the cobbler, whose
praises were in every mouth.

The Pasha went to Ahmet, and, in fear and trembling, the wife who had
appropriated the necklace sent her confidential slave to overhear what
the astrologer would say. The Pasha tol