By the beard of the Prophet, justice
must not be fooled thus, and the divan, held in our presence, be made
foolish by such complaints. Let the money be distributed among the poor,
and let them each have fifty bastinadoes on the soles of the feet. I
have said it."
"Wallah Thaib--it is well said," replied Mustapha, as the two disputants
were removed from the presence.
"Now call Menouni," said the pacha, "for I am anxious to hear the story
of Yussuf, and the future proceedings of the caliph; and a part of this
bag of money will reward him for the honey which falls from his lips."
Menouni made his appearance, and his obeisance; the pacha and Mustapha
received their pipes from the Greek slave, and the Kessehgou then
proceeded with his story.
* * * * *
The great caliph, Haroun Alraschid, had as usual held his afternoon
audience; the court was dismissed. Haroun, whose whole thoughts were
upon the bankrupt condition of Yussuf, and who was anxious to know how
he had got on after the fetva had been promulgated, sent for his vizier,
Giaffar. "I wish to ascertain," said the caliph to the vizier, "if the
unlucky Yussuf has managed to provide for his bacchanalian revels
to-night?"
"There can be no doubt, O vice-regent of the Prophet," replied Giaffar,
"that the young man is seated in the dark, in a most dismal mood,
without either wine or kabob, or aught to comfort him."
"Send for Mesrour, then; we will again resume our disguises, and pay him
a visit.
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