He was,
however, so much alarmed that he resolved to have Prince Ahmed
watched, unknown to his grand vizier. For this end he sent for a
sorceress, who was introduced by a private door into his room. 'My
son Ahmed comes to my court every month; but I cannot learn from
him where he resides, and I do not wish to force his secret out of
him; but I believe you are capable of satisfying my curiosity,
without letting him, or any of my court, know anything of the
matter. You know that at present he is here with me, and is used to
go away without taking leave of me, or any of my court. Go
immediately out on the road, find out where he retires, and bring
me word.'
The magician left the sultan, and knowing the place where Prince
Ahmed found his arrow, went thither and hid herself near the rocks,
so that nobody could see her.
The next morning Prince Ahmed set out by daybreak, without taking
leave either of the sultan or of any of his court, according to
custom. The magician, seeing him coming, followed him with her
eyes, till all of a sudden she lost sight of him and his
attendants.
The steepness of the rocks formed an insurmountable barrier to men,
whether on horseback or on foot, so that the magician judged that
there were but two ways; the prince had retired either into some
cavern, or into some place underground, the abode of genies or
fairies.
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