of hiding the Khan's secret so that he could go abroad among his people like other kings. And never again was a young man chosen to cut the Khan's hair and afterwards be put to death! That service Daibang kept for himself and remained the Lord High Royal Barber to the end of his days.
"But what was the Khan's secret?" demanded the Prince, when the Siddhi-kur had finished his tale.
"Oh, that," said the Siddhi-kur, "was very simple; haven't you guessed it yet? The Khan had ears that were large and pointed like the ears of an ass, and he was frightfully ashamed of them. But the widow made him a tall velvet cap with lappets that came down over them, and after that he felt perfectly comfortable about himself. Of course such caps became the style in the kingdom, and I believe they are worn in the East, in court circles, this very day!
