Of the Kaabah (Holy House) many wonderful things are recorded in the several commentaries on the Khoraun, and other ancient authorities, which it would fill my letter to detail.  I will, however, make mention of the mystic chain as a sample of the many superstitious habits of that age.

It is said, ’A chain was suspended from the roof of Kaabah, whither the people assembled to settle (by the touch) disputed rights in any case of doubt between contending parties.’

Many curious things are related as having been decided by this mystic chain,[13] which it should seem, by their description, could only be reached by the just person in the cause to be decided, since, however long the arm of the faulty person, he could never reach the chain; and however short the person’s arm who was in the right, he always touched the chain without difficulty.  I will here relate one of the anecdotes on this subject.

’Two pilgrims travelled together in Arabia; on the way one robbed the other of his gold coins, and secreted them carefully in the hollow of his cane or staff.  His companion missing his cash, accused him of the theft, and when disputes had risen high between them, they agreed to visit the mystic chain to settle their difference.  Arriving at Kaabah, their intentions being disclosed to the keepers of the place, the thief claimed the privilege, being the accused, of first reaching to touch the chain; he then gave the staff in which he had deposited the money into his fellow-pilgrim’s hands, saying, “Keep this, whilst I go to prove my innocence.”  He next advanced and made the usual prayer, adding to which, “Lord, whatever I have done amiss I strive to remedy; I repent, and I restore”; then raising his arm, he touched the chain without difficulty.  The spectators were much surprised, because all believed he was actually the thief.  The man who lost his gold, freely forgave his fellow-traveller, and expressed sorrow that he had accused him wrongfully; yet he wished to prove that he was not guilty of falsehood—­having really lost his gold,—­and declared he also would approach the chain to clear himself from such a suspicion.  “Here,” said he to the criminal, “take back your staff;” and he advanced within the Kaabah, making the required prayer, and adding, “Now my Creator will grant me mercy and favour, for He knoweth my gold was stolen, and I have not spoken falsely in that, yet I know not who is the thief.”  He raised his hand and grasped the chain, at which the people were much amazed.’

It is presumed, by writers of a later period, that this circumstance threw the mystic properties of the chain out of favour; for it was soon after removed secretly, these writers add, and its disappearance made the subject of much conjecture; no one could ever ascertain by whom it was taken, but the general belief is, that it was conveyed away by supernatural agency.  Another marvellous story is recorded of the Kaabah, as follows: