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 to bring Râja Rasâlu into the court. But Rasâlu, collecting them all in one place, covered them under the broad expanse of his shield, and then sent a message to the king, saying: "Come if you can, and take your men from under my shield."

When the king understood what a wonderful master of magic he was, and how great was his might to cover one hundred men with his shield, he sent other messengers, saying to them: "Do not use force with him. Bring him by solicitations and prayers." And they, as soon as they arrived, humbly requested Rasâlu to come before their lord, beseeching him with courteous words.

"I come," answered he, and so, lance in hand, and with the king's messengers behind him, rode to the city and so to the palace. When he entered the king's presence, he said: "Wherefore have you sent for me?"

"Why have you slain Mîrshikâri?" enquired the king.

"I will also ask you a riddle," replied Rasâlu, "and if you can answer it, you will know of the death of Mirshikari:

But the king was unable to guess the answer. Therefore said he to his ministers:—"Go with this stranger, whoever he is, and see if he tells the truth, and let us beware lest he be the real Rasâlu."

So Rasâlu conducted them to the forest, where they came and saw all the six bodies lying lifeless together on the ground. Taking up the corpse of Mîrshikâri, they took it into the presence of the king, who, having heard their tale, looked upon it and said of Rasâlu:—"This man has indeed spoken the word of truth."