“Almost two-and-twenty years,” replied Mobarec. “But how can you convince me that you are his son?”
“My father,” rejoined Zeyn, “had a subterraneous place under his private room in which I have found forty porphyry urns full of gold.”
“And what more is there?” said Mobarec.
“Nine pedestals of massive gold,” answered the prince, “on eight whereof are as many diamond statues, and on the ninth a piece of white satin, on which my father has written what I am to do to procure another statue, more valuable than all those together. You know where that statue is, for it is mentioned on the satin that you will conduct me to it.”
As soon as he had spoken these words, Mobarec fell down at his feet, and kissing one of his hands several times, said: “I bless God for having brought you hither. I know you to be the Sultan of Bussorah’s son. If you will go to the place where the wonderful statue is, I will conduct you; but you must first rest here for a short time. This day I entertain the great men of the city. Will you vouchsafe to come and be merry with us?”
“I shall be very glad,” replied Zeyn, “to be admitted to your feast.”
Mobarec immediately led him under a dome where the company was, seated him at the table, and served him. The merchants of Cairo were surprised and whispered to one another. “Who is this stranger to whom Mobarec pays so much respect?”
When they had dined, Mobarec, directing his discourse to the company, said: “Know, my friends, that this young stranger is the son of the Sultan of Bussorah, my late master. His father purchased me and died without making me free; so that I am still a slave, and consequently all I have of right belongs to this young prince, his sole heir.”
Here Zeyn interrupted him. “Mobarec,” said he, “I declare, before all these guests, that I make you free from this moment, and that I renounce all right to your person and all you possess. Consider what you would have me do more for you.”
Mobarec kissed the ground and returned the prince most hearty thanks.