Mesrour being used to execute his sovereign’s orders, however unjust, without making any answer, obeyed this with some reluctance.  He signified his concern to Fetnah, who was the more grieved because she had assured herself, that the caliph would not refuse to speak to her.  She was obliged to submit to her hard fate, and to follow Mesrour, who conducted her to the dark tower, and there left her.

In the mean time, the enraged caliph dismissed his grand vizier, and only hearkening to his passion, wrote the following letter with his own hand to the king of Syria, his cousin and tributary, who resided at Damascus.

“This letter is to inform you, that a merchant of Damascus, whose name is Ganem, the son of Abou Ayoub, has seduced the most amiable of my women slaves, called Fetnah, and is fled.  It is my will, that when you have read my letter, you cause search to be made for Ganem, and secure him.  When he is in your power, you shall cause him to be loaded with irons, and for three days successively let him receive fifty strokes of the bastinado.  Then let him be led through all parts of the city by a crier, proclaiming, ‘This is the smallest punishment the commander of the believers inflicts on him that offends his lord, and debauches one of his slaves.’  After that you shall send him to me under a strong guard.  It is my will that you cause his house to be plundered; and after it has been razed, order the materials to be carried out of the city into the middle of the plain.  Besides this, if he has father, mother, sister, wives, daughters, or other kindred, cause them to be stripped; and when they are naked, expose them three days to the whole city, forbidding any person on pain of death to afford them shelter.  I expect you will without delay execute my command.”

The caliph having written this letter, dispatched it by an express, ordering him to make all possible speed, and to take pigeons along with him, that he might the sooner hear what had been done by Mahummud Zinebi.

The pigeons of Bagdad have this peculiar quality, that from wherever they may be carried to, they return to Bagdad as soon as they are set at liberty, especially when they have young ones.  A letter rolled up is made fast under their wing, and by that means advice is speedily received from such places as it is desired.

The caliph’s courier travelled night and day, as his master’s impatience required; and being come to Damascus, went directly to king Zinebi’s palace, who sat upon his throne to receive the caliph’s letter.  The courier having delivered it, Mahummud looking at it, and knowing the hand, stood up to shew his respect, kissed the letter, and laid it on his head, to denote he was ready submissively to obey the orders it contained.  He opened it, and having read it, immediately descended from his throne, and without losing time, mounted on horseback with the principal officers of his household.  He sent for the civil magistrate; and went directly to Ganem’s house, attended by all his guards.