Still heavy of heart, he arose and went to the top of the mountain, where, at great cost, he caused such a tomb to be made as had been described. It was all of shim-shirak stone, and within was a golden casket. Also the doors opened of themselves and repeated the words that had been commanded.
After having finished the tomb, the old man found [[83]]it so perfect that he stayed for a long time to admire. Then he went home and said to his foster daughter: “Behold! I have made the tomb as you requested. I beg that you will be sad no longer.”
Let us leave these three persons here, while we return to the intruders in the palace.
As soon as the wicked daughter of the wicked woman had secured the roses from the supposed gardener, she arrayed herself in the most beautiful of the robes which had been stolen from the other, and, taking the roses in her hands, carried them to the prince.
Now, the roses were marvelously beautiful, and their fragrance was something passing sweet. When, therefore, the prince had received them, he laid them against his face, and it seemed as if he could never have enough of them. When she who had brought them saw this, it began to appear to her whence these flowers had come; and, as the prince was so enamored of their sweetness as to forget her very presence, anger and fear began to stir her breast. All the night through, she lay and pondered upon the roses, the strange price, and the rapture of the young prince.
When morning dawned she hastened to her mother with the startling announcement: “Mother, [[84]]most surely the girl, whom we have supposed dead, is yet alive. She is not far away. At any moment she may overthrow our plans. Hasten! Let us send a witch to find her, and, after that, to remove the amulet from her arm. Then, surely, must she die.”
Throughout the night the mother had been troubled in like manner, and of herself had resolved that something must be brought about to prevent their undoing. Therefore she was quite ready to accept the advice of her daughter, and ordered a slave to conduct her to the tent of a witch, to whom she told a false story and ended with the order her daughter had suggested.
Now, the witch, as well, was evil-minded. She listened carefully and promised to accomplish the difficult task, for the great sum of money which was offered her. When the woman had gone from the tent, she made incantations. Afterward she set out, and did not pause until the very door of the muleteer’s house was reached. It opened at her knock, and she was led upstairs, into the room where the muleteer, his wife, and their foster daughter received their guests. Here she was graciously admitted and bidden to sit down.
After a little while it became evening, whereupon the witch said: “Ai! mother, I have journeyed a [[85]]long way. It is now late. I am afraid to continue my journey at night. Indeed, the very reason of my call was to ask you if you would permit me to pass the night under your roof.”
The muleteer’s wife was not pleased with this. She had not been pleased with the presence of the witch. Still, it is incumbent upon the faithful to be hospitable. Accordingly, she answered: “Very well, mother. Here is a room. Enter it and lie down in peace! But first wait until the evening meal is prepared. We would have you partake of it with us.”