that she was his mistress and had been stoned on his account in the city.  So he did this and coming by night to the villager’s house, stole therefrom goods and clothes; whereupon the old man awoke and seizing the thief, bound him fast and beat him, to make him confess.  So he confessed against the woman that she had prompted him to this and that he was her lover from the city.  The news was bruited abroad and the people of the city assembled to put her to death; but the old man, with whom she was, forbade them and said, ’I brought this woman hither, coveting the recompense [of God,] and I know not [the truth of] that which is said of her and will not suffer any to hurt her.’  Then he gave her a thousand dirhems, by way of alms, and put her forth of the village.  As for the thief, he was imprisoned for some days; after which the folk interceded for him with the old man, saying, ’This is a youth and indeed he erred;’ and he released him.

Meanwhile, the woman went out at hazard and donning devotee’s apparel, fared on without ceasing, till she came to a city and found the king’s deputies dunning the towns-folk for the tribute, out of season.  Presently, she saw a man, whom they were pressing for the tribute; so she enquired of his case and being acquainted therewith, paid down the thousand dirhems for him and delivered him from beating; whereupon he thanked her and those who were present.  When he was set free, he accosted her and besought her to go with him to his dwelling.  So she accompanied him thither and supped with him and passed the night.  When the night darkened on him, his soul prompted him to evil, for that which he saw of her beauty and loveliness, and he lusted after her and required her [of love]; but she repelled him and bade him fear God the Most High and reminded him of that which she had done with him of kindness and how she had delivered him from beating and humiliation.

However, he would not be denied, and when he saw her [constant] refusal of herself to him, he feared lest she should tell the folk of him.  So, when he arose in the morning, he took a scroll and wrote in it what he would of forgery and falsehood and going up to the Sultan’s palace, said, ’[I have] an advisement [for the king].’  So he bade admit him and he delivered him the writ that he had forged, saying, ’I found this letter with the woman, the devotee, the ascetic, and indeed she is a spy, a secret informer against the king to his enemy; and I deem the king’s due more incumbent on me than any other and his advisement the first [duty], for that he uniteth in himself all the people, and but for the king’s presence, the subjects would perish; wherefore I have brought [thee] warning.’  The king put faith in his words and sent with him those who should lay hands upon the woman and put her to death; but they found her not.