I went to the bazaar, where I called a crier aside, and strewing him the necklace, told him I wished to sell it, and desired him to show it to the principal jewellers.  The crier was surprised to see such a valuable ornament.  “How beautiful,” exclaimed he, gazing upon it with admiration, “never did our merchants see any thing so rich; I am sure I shall oblige them highly in strewing it to them; and you need not doubt they will set a high price upon it, in emulation of each other.”  He carried me to a shop which proved to be my landlord’s:  “Stop here,” said the crier, “I will return presently and bring you an answer.”

While he was running about to shew the necklace, I sat with the jeweller, who was glad to see me, and we conversed on different subjects.  The crier returned, and calling me aside, instead of telling me the necklace was valued at two thousand sherifs, assured me nobody would give me more than fifty.  “The reason is,” added he, “the pearls are false; consider if you will part with it at that price.”  I took him at his word, wanting money.  “Go,” said I, “I take your word, and that of those who know better than myself; deliver it to them, and bring me the money immediately.”

The crier had been ordered to offer me fifty sherifs by one of the richest jewellers in town who had only made that offer to sound me, and try if I was well acquainted with the value of the pearls.  He had no sooner received my answer, than he carried the crier to the judge, and shewing him the necklace; “Sir,” said he, “here is a necklace which was stolen from me, and the thief, under the character of a merchant, has had the impudence to offer it to sale, and is at this minute in the bazaar.  He is willing to take fifty sherifs for a necklace that is worth two thousand

which is a clear proof of his having stolen it.”

The Judge sent immediately to seize me, and when I came before him, he asked me if the necklace he had in his hand was not the same that I had exposed to sale in the bazaar.  I told him it was.  “Is it true,” demanded he, “that you are willing to sell it for fifty sherifs,?” I answered I was.  “Well,” continued he, in a scoffing way “give him the bastinado; he will quickly confess notwithstanding his merchant’s disguise, that he is only an artful thief; let him be beaten till he owns his guilt.”  The pain of the torture made me tell a lie; I confessed, though it was not true that I had stolen the necklace; and the judge ordered my hand to be cut off according to the sentence of our law.

This made a great noise in the bazaar, and I was scarcely returned to my house when my landlord came.  “My son,” said he, “you seem to be a young man well educated, and of good sense; how is it possible you could be guilty of such an unworthy action, as that I hear talked of?  You gave me an account of your property yourself, and I do not doubt but the account was just.  Why did not you request money of me, and I would have lent it you?  However, after what has happened, I cannot allow you to remain longer in my house; you must go and seek for other lodgings.”  I was extremely troubled at this; and entreated the jeweller, with tears in my eyes, to let me stay three days longer; which he granted.