صفحة 763 من 1116

I went up to them and asked, "What is the matter?" however, they

pinioned me with out further parley and threw a chain about my

neck, saying, "The necklet which was with thee hath proved to be

the property of the Wazir of Damascus who is also her Viceroy;"

and they added, "It was missing from his house three years ago at

the same time as his younger daughter." When I heard these words,

my heart sank within me and I said to myself, "Thy life is gone

beyond a doubt! By Allah, needs must I tell the Chief my story;

and, if he will, let him kill me, and if he please, let him

pardon me." So they carried me to the Wazir's house and made me

stand between his hands. When he saw me, he glanced at me out of

the corner of his eye and said to those present, "Why did ye lop

off his hand?