Upon the vizier’s return, the pretended culprit was brought before him.  “My lord,” said Buddir ad Deen, with tears in his eyes, “pray do me the favour to let me know wherein I have displeased you.”  “Why, you wretch,” exclaimed the vizier “was it not you that made the cream-tart you sent me?” “I own I am the man,” replied Buddir ad Deen, “but pray what crime is that?” “I will punish you according to your deserts,” said Shumse ad Deen, “it shall cost you your life, for sending me such a sorry tart.”  “Ah!” exclaimed Buddir ad Deen, “is it a capital crime to make a bad cream-tart?” “Yes,” said the vizier “and you are to expect no other usage from me.”

While this interview lasted, the ladies, who were concealed behind curtains, saw Buddir ad Deen, and recognized him, notwithstanding he had been so long absent.  They were so transported with joy, that they swooned away; and when they recovered, would fain have run up and fallen upon his neck, but the promise they had made to the vizier of not discovering themselves, restrained the tender emotions of love and of nature.

Shumse ad Deen having resolved to set out that night, ordered the tents to be struck, and the necessary preparations to be made for his journey.  He ordered Buddir ad Deen to be secured in a sort of cage, and laid on a camel.  The vizier and his retinue began their march, and travelled the rest of that night, and all the next day, without stopping In the evening they halted, and Buddir ad Deen was taken out of his cage, in order to be served with the necessary refreshments, but still carefully kept at a distance from his mother and his wife; and during the whole expedition, which lasted twenty days, was served in the same manner.

When they arrived at Cairo, they encamped in the neighbourhood of the city; Shumse ad Deen called for Buddir ad Deen, and gave orders, in his presence, to prepare a stake.  “Alas!” said Buddir ad Deen, “what do you mean to do with a stake?” “Why, to impale you,” replied Shumse ad Deen, “and then to have you carried through all the quarters of the town, that the people may have the spectacle of a worthless pastry-cook, who makes cream-tarts without pepper.”  This said, Buddir ad Deen cried out so ludicrously, that Shumse ad Deen could hardly keep his countenance:  “Alas!” said he, “must I suffer a death as cruel as it is ignominious, for not putting pepper in a cream-tart?”

“How,” said Buddir ad Deen, “must I be rifled; must I be imprisoned in a chest, and at last impaled, and all for not putting pepper in a cream-tart?  Are these the actions of Moosulmauns, of persons who make a profession of probity, justice, and good works?” With these words he shed tears, and then renewing his complaint; “No,” continued he, “never was a man used so unjustly, nor so severely.  Is it possible they should be capable of taking a man’s life for not putting pepper in a cream-tart?  Cursed be all cream-tarts, as well as the hour in which I was born!  Would to God l had died that minute!”