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Now she hath given me fifty thousand dinars," adding, "Take this

money and go out and buy us a fair dwelling house." So I fared

forth and bought a fine and spacious mansion, whither she removed

all the wealth she owned and what riches I had gained in stuffs

and costly rarities. Such is the cause of the cutting off of my

thumbs and great toes. We ate (continued the Reeve), and were

returning to our homes when there befell me with the Hunchback

that thou wottest of. This then is my story, and peace be with

thee! Quoth the King; "This story is on no wise more delectable

than the story of the Hunchback; nay, it is even less so, and

there is no help for the hanging of the whole of you." Then came

forward the Jewish physician and kissing the ground said, "O King

of the age, I will tell thee an history more wonderful than that

of the Hunchback." "Tell on," said the King of China; so he began

the

Tale of the Jewish Doctor.