they answered , ` no one has ever known or heard or seen aught about it ; it is an empty fancy . ' ` From whom , then , did the princess hear of it ? This empty fancy it is that has done many a servant of God to death ! ' All saw the good sense of his words and showed their approval . Then he turned to the princess : ` Tell us the truth , princess ; who told you of this thing ? I know it hair by hair , and in and out ; but if I tell you what I know , who is there that can say I speak the truth ? You must produce the person who can confirm my words . ' Her heart sank , for she feared that her long-kept secret was now to be noised abroad . But she said merely : ` Explain yourself . ' ' I shall explain myself fully when you bring here the negro whom you hide beneath your throne . ' Here the king shouted in wonderment : ` Explain yourself , young man ! What negro does my daughter hide beneath her throne ? ' ` That , ' said the prince , ` you will see if you order to be brought here the negro who will be found beneath the throne of the princess . ' Messengers were forthwith despatched to the garden house , and after awhile they returned bringing a negro whom they had discovered in a secret chamber underneath the throne of Mihr-afruz , dressed in a dress of honour , and surrounded with luxury . The king was overwhelmed with astonishment , but the girl had taken heart again . She had had time to think that perhaps the prince had heard of the presence of the negro , and knew no more . So she said haughtily : ` Prince ! you have not answered my riddle . ' ' O most amazingly impudent person , ' cried he , ` do you not yet repent ? ' Then he turned to the people , and told them the whole story of the rose and the cypress , of King Sinaubar and Queen Gul .
When he came to the killing of the negroes , he said XXXXX the one who stood before them : ` You , too , were present . '
From about after by if in out that to with