Would you draw down on you by imprudence the fate of your unhappy sisters ? ' Hardly had he uttered the words , when a thick black vapour rose about him , proceeding from the precious bottle , which his rapid movement had overturned . The old slave rushed in and shrieked loudly , while Neangir , upset by this strange adventure , left the house . -LSB- Illustration : NEANGIR SEES THE PICTURE OF ARGENTINE -RSB- He passed the rest of the night on the steps of a mosque , and with the first streaks of dawn he took his picture out of the folds of his turban . Then , remembering Zelida 's words , he inquired the way to the bazaar , and went straight to the shop she had described . In answer to Neangir 's request to be shown some watches , the merchant produced several and pointed out the one which he considered the best . The price was three gold pieces , which Neangir readily agreed to give him ; but the man made a difficulty about handing over the watch unless he knew where his customer lived . ` That is more than I know myself , ' replied Neangir . ' I only arrived in the town yesterday and can not find the way to the house where I went first . ' ` Well , ' said the merchant , ` come with me , and I will take you to a good Mussulman , where you will have everything you desire at a small charge . ' Neangir consented , and the two walked together through several streets till they reached the house recommended by the Jewish merchant . By his advice the young man paid in advance the last gold piece that remained to him for his food and lodging . As soon as Neangir had dined he shut himself up in his room , and thrusting his hand into the folds of his turban , drew out his beloved portrait . As he did so , he touched a sealed letter which had apparently been hidden there without his knowledge , and seeing it was written by his foster-mother , Zinebi , he tore it eagerly open . Judge of his surprise when he read these words : ` My dearest Child , -- This letter , which you will some day find in your turban , is to inform you that you are not really our son . We believe your father to have been a great lord in some distant land , and inside this packet is a letter from him , threatening to be avenged on us if you are not restored to him at once . We shall always love you , but do not seek us or even write to us . It will be useless . ' In the same wrapper was a roll of paper with a few words as follows , traced in a hand unknown to Neangir : ` Traitors , you are no doubt in league with those magicians who have stolen the two daughters of the unfortunate Siroco , and have taken from them the talisman given them by their father . You have kept my son from me , but I have found out your hiding-place and swear by the Holy Prophet to punish your crime .
The stroke XXXXX my scimitar is swifter than the lightning . '
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