fore I grant you the other half of this merchant’s blood,” and having said this, the genie disappeared, to the great joy of the merchant and of the two old men.
The merchant did not omit to bestow many thanks upon his liberators, who, bidding him adieu, proceeded on their travels. He remounted his horse, and returned home to his wife and children, and spent the remainder of his days with them in tranquillity.
Scheherazade, perceiving that day had not yet come, asked the sultan whether he would care to hear another of her stories, since there was still time. He assured her that nothing would give him greater pleasure, and she forthwith began the strange story of the three Calenders in these words:
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