Page:Sinbad the sailor & other stories from the Arabian nights.djvu/289

 solve thy riddle, O King: The Khalifeh played better than the merchant, whose play was equally good." The Khalifeh smiled and, turning to Ja'far, said, "O Vizier, bestow upon him the Robe of the Wag."

Then the Khalifeh arose, and, descending from his throne, placed the hands of the three ladies in those of the Three Royal Calenders. The Kadi and witnesses were summoned and the marriage contracts were signed and sealed. He then bestowed upon each of the three wedded pairs a splendid palace and sufficient money for their needs until such time as he had succeeded in restoring them to their thrones. And so did Harun-er-Rashid draw upon himself ten thousand blessings.