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“They are not brothers, neither do they in aught resemble one another,” said Shems-ud-dìn, much aggrieved. “They are my good friends. Howbeit, to please thee, I will sell my donkey and buy me a good horse before we ride together.”

“That is well. For didst thou come riding upon an ass, attended by three old men with but one face between them, I should know thee for a wizard and depart quickly.”

With that Milhem went off, chuckling; leaving his brother, crestfallen and mystified, to find his own way to the khan of Ahmed Effendi.

Milhem’s words proved true. Shems-ud-dìn found himself in high request among the erudite of Damashc-esh-Shâm. During the weeks spent there, he was constantly visiting and being visited; twice was he called upon to preach in the great mosque; and a general meeting of the doctors was convened on purpose to debate with him upon certain knotty questions of religious law. To his vast surprise, Milhem attended him everywhere, lending a disciple’s ear to his disquisitions, and treating him in public with a new respect. In private, he condescended to explain: