meanwhile the merchant's son had returned from hunting and was terribly distressed not to find his house and wife. there was the place only, just as he knew it before he had tried the charmed ring which raja indrasha had given him. he sat down and determined to put an end to himself. presently the cat and dog came up. they had gone away and hidden themselves, when they saw the house and everything disappear. "o master!" they said, "stay your hand. your trial is great, but it can be remedied. give us one month, and we will go and try to recover your wife and house."