To complete his misfortune, as he went by the judge’s house, he would needs know the cause of the tumult.  The curriers told him, that they saw him come in that condition from the gate of the apartments of the grand vizier’s women, which opened into their street; upon which the judge ordered unfortunate Backbarah to have a hundred blows with a cane on the soles of his feet, and sent him out of the town with orders never to return.

“Thus, commander of the faithful,” said I to the caliph, “I have given an account of the adventure of my second brother, who did not know that our greatest ladies divert themselves sometimes by putting such tricks upon young people, who are so foolish as to be caught in the snare.”

The barber, without breaking off, told the story of his third brother in the following manner.

The Story of the Barber’s Third Brother.

Commander of the faithful, my third brother, whose name was Backbac, was blind, and his evil destiny reduced him to beg from door to door.  He had been so long accustomed to walk through the streets alone, that he wanted none to lead him:  he had a custom to knock at people’s doors, and not to answer till they opened to him.  One day he knocked thus, and the master of the house, who was alone, cried, “Who is there?” My brother made no answer, and knocked a second time:  the master of the house asked again and again, “Who is there?” but to no purpose, no one answered; upon which he came down, opened the door, and asked my brother what he wanted?  “Give me something for Heaven’s sake,” said Backbac.  “You seem to be blind,” replied the master of the house.  “Yes, to my sorrow,” answered my brother.  “Give me your hand,” resumed the master of the house.  My brother did so, thinking he was going to give him alms; but he only took him by the hand to lead him up to his chamber.  Backbac thought he had been carrying him to dine with him, as many other people had done.  When they reached the chamber, the man let go his hand, and sitting down, asked him again what he wanted?  “I have already told you,” said Backbac, “that I want something for God’s sake.”  “Good blind man,” replied the master of the house, “all that I can do for you is to wish that God may restore you your sight.”  “You might have told me that at the door,” replied my brother, “and not have given me the trouble to come up stairs.”  “And why, fool,” said the man of the house, “do not you answer at first, when people ask you who is there?  Why do you give any body the trouble to come and open the door when they speak to you?” “What will you do with me then?” asked my brother.  “I tell you again,” said the man of the house, “I have nothing to give you.”  “Help me down the stairs then, as you brought me up.”  “The stairs are before you,” said the man of the house, “and you may go down by yourself if you will.”  My brother attempted to descend, but missing a step about the middle of the stairs, fell to the bottom and hurt his head and his back:  he got up again with much difficulty, and went out cursing the master of the house. who laughed at his fall.