that he
was going to leave for his country immediately, and asked for his
money. The Cadi called him a dog and ordered him to be whipped out of
the place by his servants. Alas! what could the poor Chepdji do! He
wept in impotent despair, as he counted the number of years he must
yet work before beholding his loved ones.

One day, while moving the dirt from the Konak of a wealthy Pasha, his
soul uttered a sigh which reached the ears of the Hanoum, and from the
window she asked him why he sighed so deeply. He replied that he
sighed for something that could in no way interest her. The Hanoum's
sympathy was excited, and after much persuasion, he finally, with
tears in his eyes, related to her his great misfortune. The Hanoum
thought for a few minutes and then told him to go the following day to
the Cadi at a certain hour and again ask for the money as if nothing
had happened.

The Hanoum in the meantime gathered together a quantity of jewelry, to
the value of several hundred pounds, and instructed her favorite and
confidential slave to come with her to the Cadi and remain outside
whilst she went in, directing her that when she saw the Chepdji come
out and learned that he had gotten his money, to come in the Cadi's
room hurriedly and say to her, "your husband has arrived from Egypt,
and is waiting for you at the Konak."

The Hanoum then went to the Cadi, carrying in her hand a bag
containing the jewelry. With a profound salaam she said:

"Oh Cadi, my husband, who is in Egypt and who has been there for
several years, has at last asked me to come and join him there; these
jewels are of great value, and I hesitate to take them with me on so
long and dangerous a journey. If you would kindly consent to keep them
for me until my return, or if I never return to keep them as a token
of my esteem, I will think of you with lifelong gratitude."

The Hanoum then began displaying the rich jewelry. Just then the
Chepdji entered, and bending low, said:

"Oh master, your slave has come for his savings in order to proceed to
his country."

"Ah, welcome," said the Cadi, "so you are going already!" and
immediately ordered the treasurer to pay the five hundred piasters to
the Chepdji.

"You see," said the Cadi to the Hanoum, "what confidence the people
have in me. This money I have held for some time without receipt or
acknowledgment; but directly it is asked for it is paid."

No sooner had the Chepdji gone out of the door, than the