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a thief is come in to us, seeking to take our money!" A crowd

gathered around them, whereupon the intruder hung on to them; and

complained with them as they complained, and, shutting his eyes

like them, so that none might doubt his blindness, cried out, "O

Moslems, I take refuge with Allah and the Governor, for I have a

matter to make known to him!" Suddenly up came the watch and,

laying hands on the whole lot (my brother being amongst them),

drove them[FN#653] to the Governor's who set them before him and

asked, "What news with you?" Quoth the intruder, "Look and find

out for thyself, not a word shall be wrung from us save by

torture, so begin by beating me and after me beat this man our

leader."[FN#654] And he pointed to my brother. So they threw the

man at full length and gave him four hundred sticks on his

backside. The beating pained him, whereupon he opened one eye

and, as they redoubled their blows, he opened the other eye.