onth to these ruins. Not far from this room is a large hall where he is
in the habit of feasting with his companions. I have often watched them.
They tell each other all about their evil deeds, and possibly the magic
word which you have forgotten may be mentioned.'

'Oh, dearest Princess!' exclaimed the Caliph, 'say, when does he come,
and where is the hall?'

The owl paused a moment and then said: 'Do not think me unkind, but I
can only grant your request on one condition.'

'Speak, speak!' cried Chasid; 'command, I will gladly do whatever you
wish!'

'Well,' replied the owl, 'you see I should like to be free too; but this
can only be if one of you will offer me his hand in marriage.'

The storks seemed rather taken aback by this suggestion, and the Caliph
beckoned to his Vizier to retire and consult with him.

When they were outside the door the Caliph said: 'Grand Vizier, this is
a tiresome business. However, you can take her.'

'Indeed!' said the Vizier; 'so that when I go home my wife may scratch
my eyes out! Besides, I am an old man, and your Highness is still young
and unmarried, and a far more suitable match for a young and lovely
Princess.'

'That's just where it is,' sighed the Caliph, whose wings drooped in a
dejected manner; 'how do you know she is young and lovely? I call it
buying a pig in a poke.'

They argued on for some time, but at length, when the Caliph saw plainly
that his Vizier would rather remain a stork to the end of his days than
marry the owl, he determined to fulfil the condition himself. The owl
was delighted. She owned that they could not have arrived at a better
time, as most probably the magicians would meet that very night.

She then proceeded to lead the two storks to the chamber. They passed
through a long dark passage till at length a bright ray of light shone
before them through the chinks of a half-ruined wall. When they reached
it the owl advised them to keep very quiet. Through the gap near which
they stood they could with ease survey the whole of the large hall. It
was adorned with splendid carved pillars; a number of coloured lamps
replaced the light of day. In the middle of the hall stood a round
table covered with a variety of dishes, and about the table was a divan
on which eight men were seated. In one of these bad men the two
recognised the pedlar who had sold the magic powder. The man next him
begged him to relate all his latest doings, and amongst them he told