The caliph appeared satisfied, and turning to the first beeldar, commanded him to strike.  In a moment the head of the robber was lying on the ground.  “Neatly and bravely done,” said the caliph; “let him be rewarded.”  He then gave command to the second to execute his criminal.  The sword whirled in the air, and at one stroke the head of the robber flew some distance from the shoulders.  The third criminal was despatched with equal dexterity.  “Now,” said the caliph to Yussuf, “you, my beeldar, cut off the criminal’s head, and receive the like reward for your dexterity.”

Yussuf had by this time, to a certain degree, recovered his presence of mind; he had not exactly arranged his ideas, but they floated indistinctly in his brain.  “Will your highness allow me to say a few words to the criminal?” demanded Yussuf, to gain time.

“Be it so,” replied the caliph, stuffing his robe in his mouth to prevent laughter.

“The caliph has commanded that your head be struck off.  If you would pronounce the profession of the true faith, now is your time, robber, for you have but one short minute to live.”

The criminal immediately cried out, “There is but one God, and Mahomet is his Prophet!”

Yussuf then bared his muscular arm, and fiercely rolling his eyes, walked three times round his prisoner.  “Declare now the justice of your fate,” cried he, aloud (but at the same time saying to the man, in a low tone, “Swear you are innocent").  “Say, is not your sentence just?”

“No—­no,” replied the man, in a loud voice, “I am innocent.”

The caliph, who was very attentive to all that passed, was much diverted by Yussuf’s proceedings, and wondered what he would do next.  Yussuf then walked up to the caliph, and prostrated himself.  “O caliph! vicegerent of the Prophet! deign to listen to your faithful beeldar, while he narrates a strange adventure which hath befallen him within these few days.”

“Speak, beeldar, we are all attention; remember that thy words be those of truth.”

“It was on the evening before your highness issued the decree that no water should be supplied to the bazaar, from the Tigris, that as I was sitting in my house, performing my sacred duties, and studying the Koran, which I read in a loud voice, three merchants of Moussul claimed and entreated my hospitality.  The Koran has pointed out hospitality as a virtue necessary to every true believer, and I hastened to open my door and receive them.”

“Indeed,” replied the caliph, looking at Giaffar.  “Tell me, beeldar, what sort of looking personages might these Moussul merchants be?”