“Young man,” said the cadi to the Banian, “have you witnesses to prove that Ali deceived you?  If not, I shall put the accused on his oath, as the law decrees.”  A Koran was brought.  Ali placed his hand on it, and swore three times that he had not deceived the stranger.  “Wretch,” said the Banian, “thou art among those whose feet go down to destruction.  Thou hast thrown away thy soul.”

Omar smiled, and while Ali was enjoying the success of his ruse, he approached the stranger, and asked, “Do you wish me to help you gain the suit?” “Yes,” was the reply; “but you are only a child—­you can do nothing.”

“Have confidence in me a few moments,” said Omar; “accept Ali’s bargain; let me choose in your stead, and fear nothing.”

The stranger bowed his head, and murmured, “What can I fear after having lost all?” Then, turning to the cadi, and bowing respectfully, “Let the bargain be consummated,” said he, “since the law decrees it, and let this young man choose in my stead what I shall receive in payment.”

A profound silence ensued.  Omar rose, and, bowing to the cadi, “Ali,” said he to the jeweler, “you have doubtless brought the casket, and can tell us the weight thereof.”

“Here it is,” said Ali; “it weighs twenty pounds.  Choose what you will; if the thing asked for is in Jidda, you shall have it within two hours, otherwise the bargain is null and void.”

“What we desire,” said Omar, raising his voice, “is ants’ wings, half male and half female.  You have two hours in which to furnish the twenty pounds you have promised us.”  “This is absurd,” cried the jeweler; “it is impossible.  I should need half a score of persons and six months labor to satisfy so foolish a demand.”

“Are there any winged ants in Jidda?” asked the cadi.  “Of course,” answered the merchants, laughing; “they are one of the plagues of Egypt.  Our houses are full of them, and it would be doing us a great service to rid us of them.”

“Then Ali must keep his promise or give back the casket,” said the cadi.  “This young man was mad to sell his diamonds weight for weight; he is mad to exact such payment.  So much the better for Ali the first time:  so much the worse for him the second.  Justice has not two weights and measures.  Every bargain holds good before the law.  Either furnish twenty pounds of ants’ wings, or restore the casket to the Banian.”  “A righteous judgment,” shouted the spectators, wonder-struck at such equity.

[Illustration:  In front of a middle-eastern building; a man seated with a sword and water-pipe, facing a crowd.  A small boy with his left arm outstreached, is speaking to the man.  A taller young man stands to the right of the small boy; an older man stands further to the right.]

The stranger, beside himself with joy, took from the casket three diamonds of the finest water; he forced them on Omar, who put them in his girdle, and seated himself by his father, his gravity unmoved by the gaze of the assembly.  “Well done,” said Mansour; “but it is my turn now; mark me well, and profit by the lesson I shall give you.  Stop, young man!” he cried to the Banian, “we have an account to settle.”