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Then peeping through a chink I considered the place and lo! it

was an oratory wherein was a prayer niche[FN#311] with two wax

candles burning and lamps hanging from the ceiling. In it too was

spread a prayer carpet whereupon sat a youth fair to see; and

before him on its stand[FN#312] was a copy of the Koran, from

which he was reading. I marvelled to see him alone alive amongst

the people of the city and entering saluted him; whereupon he

raised his eyes and returned my salam.