Then he turned to the people, and told them the whole story of
the rose and the cypress, of King Sinaubar and Queen Gul. When
he came to the killing of the negroes, he said to the one who
stood before them: 'You, too, were present.'

'That is so; all happened as you have told it!'

There was great rejoicing in the court and all through the
country over the solving of the riddle, and because now no more
kings and princes would be killed. King Quimus made over his
daughter to Prince Almas, but the latter refused to marry her,
and took her as his captive. He then asked that the heads should
be removed from the battlements and given decent burial. This
was done. He received from the king everything that belonged to
Mihr-afruz; her treasure of gold and silver; her costly stuffs
and carpets; her household plenishing; her horses and camels; her
servants and slaves.

Then he returned to his camp and sent for Dil-aram, who came
bringing her goods and chattels, her gold and her jewels. When
all was ready, Prince Almas set out for home, taking with him
Jamila, and Dil-aram and Gul, daughter of Taram-taq, and the
wicked Mihr-afruz, and all the belongings of the four, packed on
horses and camels, and in carts without number.

As he approached the borders of his father's country word of his
coming went before him, and all the city came forth to give him
welcome. King Saman-lal-posh-- Jessamine, wearer of rubies--had
so bewept the loss of his sons that he was now blind. When the
prince had kissed his feet and received his blessing, he took