When night came, the sultan retired under his pavilion, and spoke to the grand vizier, by himself, thus: Vizier, my mind is very uneasy: this pond transported hither, the black that appeared to us in my closet, and the fishes that we heard speak, all this does so much excite my curiosity, that I cannot resist the impatient desire which I have to be satisfied in it. To this end, I am resolved to withdraw alone from the camp, and I order you to keep my absence secret; stay in my pavilion, and tomorrow morning, when the emirs and courtiers come to attend my levee, send them away, and tell them that I am somewhat indisposed, and have a mind to be alone; and the following day tell them the same thing, till I return. The grand vizier said several things to divert the sultan from this design: he represented to him the danger to which he might be exposed, and that all his labour might perhaps be in vain; but it was to no purpose, the sultan was resolved on it, and would go. He put on a suit fit for walking, and took his scimitar; and as soon as he saw that all was quiet in the camp, he went out alone, and went over one of the hills without much difficulty. He found the descent still more easy, and when he came to the plain, walked on till the sun arose, and then he saw before him, at a considerable distance, a great building. He rejoiced at the sight, in hopes to be informed there of what he wanted to know. When he came near, he found it was a magnificent palace, or rather a very strong castle, of fine black polished marble, and covered with fine steel, as smooth as a looking-glass. Being highly pleased that he had so speedily met with something worthy his curiosity, he stopped before the front of the castle, and considered it with attention. He afterwards came up to the gate, which had two leaves, one of them open; though he might have entered when he would, yet he thought it best to knock. He knocked, at first softly, and waited for some time; seeing nobody, and supposing they had not heard him, he knocked harder the second time, but neither seeing nor hearing any body, he knocked again and again, but nobody appearing, it surprised him extremely; for he could not think that a castle in so good repair was without inhabitants. If there be nobody in it, says he to himself, I have nothing to fear; and if there be, I have wherewith to defend myself. At last he entered, and when he came within the porch, he cried, Is there nobody here to receive a stranger, who comes in for some refreshment as he passes by? He repeated the same two or three times; but though he spoke very high, nobody answered. The silence increased his astonishment: he came into a very spacious court, and looking on every side, to see if he could perceive any body, he saw no living thing. But, sir, says Scheherazade, day appears, and I must stop.