Pagina 345 di 1116

Then quoth the Envier, "I have a word to say to thee; and this is

the cause of my faring hither, and I wish to give thee a piece of

good news; so come with me to thy cell." Thereupon the Envied

arose and took the Envier by the hand, and they went in to the

inmost part of the hermitage; but the Envier said, "Bid thy

Fakirs retire to their cells, for I will not tell thee what I

have to say, save in secret where none may hear us." Accordingly

the Envied said to his Fakirs, "Retire to your private cells;"

and, when all had done as he bade them, he set out with his

visitor and walked a little way until the twain reached the

ruinous old well. And as they stood upon the brink the Envier

gave the Envied a push which tumbled him headlong into it, unseen

of any; whereupon he fared forth, and went his ways, thinking to

have had slain him.