Early the next morning when the sultan, according to custom, went to
contemplate and admire Aladdin's palace, his amazement was unbounded
to find that it could nowhere be seen. He could not comprehend how so
large a palace, which he had seen plainly every day for some years,
should vanish so soon and not leave the least remains behind. In his
perplexity he ordered the grand vizier to be sent for with expedition.
The grand vizier, who, in secret, bore no good will to Aladdin,
intimated his suspicion that the palace was built by magic, and that
Aladdin had made his hunting excursion an excuse for the removal of
his palace with the same suddenness with which it had been erected. He
induced the sultan to send a detachment of his guard, and to have
Aladdin seized as a prisoner of state.
On his son-in-law being brought before him, the sultan would not hear
a word from him, but ordered him to be put to death. But the decree
caused so much discontent among the people, whose affection Aladdin
had secured by his largesses and charities, that the sultan, fearful
of an insurrection, was obliged to grant him his life.
When Aladdin found himself at liberty, he again addressed the sultan:
"Sire, I pray you to let me know the crime by which I have thus lost
the favor of thy countenance."
"Your crime!" answered the sultan. "Wretched man, do you not know it?
Follow me, and I will show you."
The sultan then took Aladdin into the apartment from whence he was
wont to look at and admire his palace, and said, "You ought to know
where your palace stood; look, mind, and tell me what has become of
it.
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