Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/242

226                         THE JADE STORY BOOK worth more than a thousand such as these. If you desire to be master of it, go to the city of Cairo in Egypt. One of my old slaves, whose name is Mobarec, lives there. You will easily find him. Visit him and tell him all that has befallen you. He will conduct you to the place where that wonderful statue is, which you will obtain with safety."

The young sultan having read these words said to the queen, "I will set out for Grand Cairo; nor do I believe, madam, that you will now oppose my design."

"No, my son," answered the queen, "I am not against it."

The prince made ready his equipage, but would take only a small number of slaves with him.

Nothing remarkable befell him by the way, but arriving at Cairo he inquired for Mobarec. The people told him he was one of the wealthiest inhabitants of the city; that he lived like a great lord, and that his house was open, especially for strangers. Zeyn was conducted thither, knocked at the