The Princess was much amused at this idea. “Where is that old blackened lamp that I have seen your master have?” asked she. “Look about and see if you can find it?”
Her woman began to search the palace, and at last they found the magic lamp hidden away in a corner of the treasure-room. They brought it to the Princess, and she at once caused the magician to be brought before her. “Here, old man,” said she, laughing. “Here is an old lamp. Will you give me a new one for it?”
When the magician saw the lamp he could hardly hide his joy. “Gladly, madam,” he answered. “Choose whichever of the lamps you will, and it shall be yours.”
The Princess chose one that pleased her well, and the magician took the old lamp and hurried away with it.
No sooner had he reached home than he shut himself up alone in his room and rubbed the lamp. At once the genie appeared.
“What do you wish?” cried he. “I and the other slaves of the lamp stand ready to serve you.”
“I wish,” cried the magician in a terrible voice, “that the palace of Aladdin and all that are in it shall be carried away to Africa.”
“To hear is to obey,” answered the genie, and immediately disappeared.
That evening the Sultan and Aladdin came home from their hunt. They rode along together, talking pleasantly, until they came within sight of the Sultan’s palace. Suddenly the Sultan drew rein and stared with blank surprise. The castle that Aladdin had built in a single night was gone. Not a sign of it was left.
“Your palace!” cried the Sultan. “Where is your palace?”