Aladdin was frightened out of his wits and was about to run away, when the magician suddenly gave him a box on the ear so violent as to beat him down and very nearly to knock some of his teeth out. Poor Aladdin, with tears in his eyes and trembling in every limb, got up. “My dear uncle,” he cried, “what have I done to deserve so severe a blow?” “I have good reasons for it,” replied the magician. “Obey me, and you will not repent of it. Underneath that stone is a great hidden treasure, which will make you richer than many kings if you will pay attention to what I tell you.”

To Aladdin’s surprise the stone was raised without any trouble, and then he could see a small opening three or four feet deep, at the bottom of which was a little door, with steps to go down still lower. “You must now,” said the magician, “go down into this cavern, and when you have come to the bottom of the steps, you will see an open door which leads into three great halls. In each of these you will see, on either side of you, four bronze vases as large as tubs, full of gold and silver, but you must not touch any of it.