n fastened by a flashing diamond. The horse, an Arab of purest
blood, seemed to have lost its senses. Rearing upright with a piercing
neigh, it struggled vainly to dislodge an enormous panther, which had
fixed its great claws in its flanks. The rider had lost all control
over it; blood and foam poured from its mouth and nostrils. Kalif
sprang boldly out, with a mighty stroke split the panther's skull,
and, flinging away his sword, ran to the horse's head, thereby
enabling the rider to dismount. Having calmed the trembling animal,
the horseman begged his rescuer to follow him.

"I had lost my way in the chase," he said, "and should have fallen a
victim to the panther, if Allah had not sent you to my aid. I will
reward you well for your bravery. Come! let us seek my companions;
there, behind that wood, my camp must be."

"I did what any other would have done in my place," answered Kalif
simply, "and expect no reward. But if you so will it, I will accompany
you to your tents."

The stranger took his horse by the rein, and walked in silence at the
merchant's side till they arrived at an opening in the trees. Here,
surrounded by several smaller ones, stood one large tent of purple
linen. A number of richly clad men threw themselves on their faces
before the new-comer. Then Kalif knew whom he had saved: it was the
Shah himself. He was about to fall at his feet, but the Shah seized
his hand and led him into the tent. Inside, standing on five stools,
were five caskets, the first of gold set with jewels, the second of
gold alone, the third silver, the fourth copper, and the fifth of
iron.

"Choose one of these caskets," said the Shah.

Kalif hesitated. At length he said:

"What I did is not worthy of any reward, but if you will it, O King of
Kings, I will take one of these caskets to remind me of the day when
my eyes were permitted to behold the Light of Asia."

He stooped and took the iron casket.

The Shah started. "Stranger," he said, "your modesty has met with its
own reward. You have chosen the most valuable casket; for, look! the
others are empty, but this one contains two jewels which possess the
magic gift of bestowing undreamed-of power to their owner." He raised
the lid and showed the wondering Kalif the two stones. "This one," he
said, "is a lapis lazuli. Whosoever winds it in the folds of his
turban, to him everything is known that has happened since the world
began, and no secret can be hidden from him. Bu