you, he keeps guard up there; and he is as strong as you are. I think that he sleeps with one eye open. I have tried to surprise him, but in vain. Now, if only I were like you, with those thews and muscles, I would not be poor."
"Who is the man?" demanded Antar.
"Ha! ha!" laughed the beggar. "If I were to tell you that, I should tell you all. You are too hasty. But, then, you do not want his riches." And he seemed to be about to depart.
"Stay!" cried Antar, after a pause; and then he was silent again.
"See you!" said the old man, his eyes sparkling once more beneath his shaggy brows as he looked up. "Suppose that you lend me those thews and muscles of yours. I will repay you with half of those riches. What do you say?"
"What do you want?" asked Antar in a low voice.
"Let us go and take his gold," whispered the beggar; "and if he resists, well, there are those thews and muscles of yours,
