design is to kill you, therefore take care of yourself.' After these words the genie disappeared.
Aladdin lost not a word of what the genie had said. He had heard of the holy woman Fatima, and how she could cure the headache. He returned to the princess' apartment, and without mentioning a word of what had happened, he sat down, and complained of a great pain which had suddenly seized his head. Upon this the princess immediately ordered the holy woman to be fetched, and told Aladdin how she had come to the palace.
When the pretended Fatima came, Aladdin said, 'Come hither, good mother; I am glad to see you here at so fortunate a time. I am tormented with a violent pain in my head, and request your assistance. I hope you will not refuse me that kindness which you have done to so many persons afflicted with the headache.' So saying, he rose up, but held down his head.
The counterfeit Fatima advanced towards him, with his hand all the time on a dagger, concealed in his girdle under his gown. Aladdin saw this, and, seizing his hand, pierced him to the heart with his own dagger, and then threw him down on the floor dead.
'My dear husband, what have you done?' cried the princess in surprise. 'You have killed the holy woman!'
'No, my princess,' answered Aladdin, without emotion, 'I have not killed Fatima, but a wicked wretch that would have assassinated me, if I had not prevented him. This wicked man,' added he, uncovering his face, 'has strangled Fatima, whom you accuse me of killing, and disguised himself in her clothes, to come and murder me. He is the brother of the African magician.' Then Aladdin told her how he came to know these particulars, and afterwards ordered the dead body to be taken away.
Thus was Aladdin delivered from the persecution of the two magicians. Within a few years afterwards, the sultan died in a good old age, and the Princess Badroulboudour, as lawful heir of the crown, succeeded him. She shared her power with Aladdin, and they reigned together many years, and left a numerous and illustrious posterity behind them.
