“Alas,” thought I, “this misfortune and affront are unsufferable; how shall I dare to return to Moussol?  Nothing I can say to my father will persuade him that I am innocent.”

Three hours after this fatal accident my house was forcibly entered by the judge’s officers, accompanied by my landlord, and the merchant who had falsely accused me of having stolen the necklace.  I asked them, what brought them there?  But instead of giving me any answer, they bound and gagged me, calling me a thousand abusive names, and telling me the necklace belonged to the governor of Damascus, who had lost it above three years before, and that one of his daughters had not been heard of since.  Judge of my sensations when I heard this intelligence.  However, I summoned all my resolution, “I will,” thought I, “tell the governor the truth, and it will rest with him either to put me to death, or to protect my innocence.”

When I was brought before him, I observed he looked upon me with an eye of compassion, from whence I augured well.  He ordered me to be untied, and addressing himself to the jeweller who accused me, and to my landlord:  “Is this the man,” asked he, “that sold the pearl necklace?” They had no sooner answered yes, than he continued, “I am sure he did not steal the necklace, and I am much astonished at the injustice that has been done him.”  These words giving me courage:  “Sir,” said I, “I do assure you I am perfectly innocent.  I am likewise fully persuaded the necklace never did belong to my accuser, whom I never saw, and whose horrible perfidy is the cause of my unjust treatment.  It is true, I made a confession as if I had stolen it; but this I did contrary to my conscience, through the force of torture, and for another reason that I am ready to give you, if you will have the goodness to hear me.”  “I know enough of it already,” replied the governor, “to do you one part of the justice to which you are entitled.  Take from hence,” continued he, “the false accuser; let him undergo the same punishment as he caused to be inflicted on this young man, whose innocence is known to myself.”

The governor’s orders were immediately put in execution; the jeweller was punished as he deserved.  Then the governor, having ordered all present to withdraw, said to me:  “My son, tell me without fear how this necklace fell into your hands, conceal nothing from me.”  I related plainly all that had passed, and declared I had chosen rather to pass for a thief than to reveal that tragical adventure.  “Good God,” exclaimed the governor, “thy judgments are incomprehensible, and we ought to submit to them without murmuring.  I receive, with entire submission, the stroke thou hast been pleased to inflict upon me.”  Then directing his discourse to me:  “My son,” said he, “having now heard the cause of your disgrace, for which I am truly concerned, I will give you an account of the affliction which has befallen myself.  Know then, that I am the father of both the young ladies