“The day before yesterday,” continued he, “this young man entered my shop, and, bursting into tears, kissed my hand and entreated me to sell him a necklace which I had already sold to the Pasha of Egypt, saying that his life and that of a lady depended upon it.  ’Ask of me what you will, my father,’ said he, ‘but I must have these gems or die.’

“I have a weakness for young men, and, though I knew the danger of disappointing my master the pasha, I was unable to resist his supplications.  ‘Take the necklace,’ said I to him, ’but promise to give whatever I may ask in exchange.’  ‘My head itself, if you will,’ he replied, ‘for you have saved my life,’ We were without witnesses, but,” added Mansour, turning to the Banian, “is not my story true?”

“Yes,” said the young man, “and I beg your pardon for not having satisfied you sooner:  you know the cause.  Ask of me what you desire.”

“What I desire,” said Mansour, “is the casket with all its contents.  Illustrious magistrate, you have declared that all bargains hold good before the law; this young man has promised to give me what I please; now I declare that nothing pleases me but these diamonds.”

The cadi raised his head and looked about the assembly, as if to interrogate the faces, then stroked his beard, and relapsed into his meditations.

“Ali is defeated,” said the sheik to Omar, with a smile, “The fox is not yet born more cunning than the worthy Mansour.”

“I am lost!” cried the Banian.  “O Omar, have you saved me only to cast me down from the highest pinnacle of joy to the depths of despair?  Persuade your father to spare me, that I may owe my life to you a second time.”

“Well, my son,” said Mansour, “doubtless you are shrewd, but this will teach you that your father knows rather more than you do.  The cadi is about to decide:  try whether you can dictate his decree.”

“It is mere child’s play,” answered Omar, shrugging his shoulders; “but since you desire it, my father, you shall lose your suit.”  He rose, and taking a piaster from his girdle, put it into the hand of the Banian, who laid it before the judge.

“Illustrious cadi,” said Omar, “this young man is ready to fulfill his engagement.  This is what he offers Mansour—­piaster.  In itself this coin is of little value; but examine it closely, and you will see that it is stamped with the likeness of the sultan, our glorious master.  May God destroy and confound all who disobey his highness!

“It is this precious likeness that we offer you,” added he, turning to Mansour; “if it pleases you, you are paid; to say that it displeases you is an insult to the pasha, a crime punishable by death; and I am sure that our worthy cadi will not become your accomplice—­he who has always been and always will be the faithful servant of an the sultans.”

When Omar had finished speaking, all eyes turned toward the cadi, who, more impenetrable than ever, stroked his face and waited for the old man to come to his aid.  Mansour was agitated and embarrassed.  The silence of the cadi and the assembly terrified him, and he cast a supplicating glance toward his son.