Once upon a time al-Malik al-Nasir sent for the Walis or Chiefs of Police of Cairo, Bulak, and Fostat and said to them, "I desire each of you to recount me the marvellousest thing that has befallen him during his term of office."—

When it was the Three Hundred and Forty third night

So they answered, "We hear and we obey." Then said the Chief of the Police of Cairo, "Know you, O our lord the Sultan, the most wonderful thing that befell me, during my term of office, was in this way:" and he began