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198 brain, for thou art as good as thou art wise. But tell me, Khassoum, where are thy people? My limbs are weary with the hard yellow desert, and fain would I rest in thy harem, thy one, thy favorite wife. Tell me, Khassoum, where is thy clan? Lead me to them that I may love them even as I love thee."

And Khassoum answered saying: "Rose of my heart, my father is dead, my mother is dead. I have no relative but one brother, Nassim; he is richer than the Egyptian merchants who live in Jeddah, but his heart is as hard as the rock of Tarik."

When Mer-el-Nissar heard the name of Nassim the rich, the black snake of avarice and greed reared his venomous head in her heart, and she cried: "O Khassoum, let us go to him as thou lovest me. He is thy only brother, and surely he will be glad to see thee, and give us shelter and food and riches."

Thus she begged and begged until she had wearied his soul and he assented.

The son of Taib listened not to the voice of Khizr which whispered in his ear: "Khassoum, remember the words of Omar, the great Caliph: 'Let one