s house of this city; who, after he had
treated us with choice dainties and excellent wines, sent for men and
women dancers and musicians. The great noise we made brought in the
watch, who arrested some of the company, but we had the good fortune
to escape. But it being already late, and the door of our khan shut
up, we knew not whither to retire. We chanced, as we passed along this
street, to hear music at your house, which made us determine to knock
at your gate. This is all the account that we can give you, in
obedience to your commands."

[Footnote 26: "Khan, or caravansary, a large building of a
quadrangular form, being one story in height. The ground floor serves
for warehouses and stables, while the upper is used for lodgings. They
always contain a fountain, and have cook shops and other conveniences
attached to them in town. The erection of them is considered
meritorious both among Hindus and Mussulmans. They are erected on the
sides of public highways, and are then only a set of bare rooms and
outhouses."--_Popular Cyclopedia_, Vol. II, p. 108.]

"Well, then," said Zobeide, "you shall all be equally obliged to me; I
pardon you all, provided you immediately depart!"

Zobeide having given this command, the caliph, the vizier, Mesrour,
the three calenders, and the porter, departed; for the presence of the
seven slaves with their weapons awed them into silence. As soon as
they had quitted the house, and the gate was closed after them, the
caliph said to the calenders, without making himself known, "You,
gentlemen, who are newly come to town, which way do you design to go,
since it is not yet day?"

"It is this," they replied, "that perplexes us."

"Follow us," resumed the caliph, "and we will convey you out of
danger."

He then whispered to the vizier: "Take them along with you, and
to-morrow morning bring them to me."

The vizier Giafar took the three calenders along with him; the porter
went to his quarters, and the caliph and Mesrour returned to the
palace.

On the following morning, as the day dawned, the sultan Haroun al
Raschid arose and went to his council chamber, and sat upon his
throne. The grand vizier entered soon after, and made his obeisance.

"Vizier," said the caliph, "go, bring those ladies and the calenders
at the same time; make haste, and remember that I impatiently expect
your return."

The vizier, who knew his master's quick and fiery temper, hastened to
obey, and conducted them