ld,--forty thieves,--forty days; and here is one of
them," handing a bean to his wife. "The rest remain in their place
until the time comes to give them up."

While Ahmet was saying this to his wife one of the thieves was
listening at the window. The thief was sure he had been discovered
when he heard Ahmet say, "And here is one of them," and hurried off to
tell his companions.

The thieves were greatly distressed, but decided to wait till the next
evening and see what would happen then, and another of the number was
sent to listen and see if the report would be verified. The listener
had not long been stationed at his post when he heard Ahmet say to his
wife: "And here is another of them," meaning another of the forty days
of his life. But the thief understood the words otherwise, and hurried
off to tell his chief that the astrologer knew all about it and knew
that he had been there. The thieves consequently decided to send a
delegation to Ahmet, confessing their guilt and offering to return the
forty cases of gold intact. Ahmet received them, and on hearing their
confession, accompanied with their condition to return the gold,
boldly told them that he did not require their aid; that it was in his
power to take possession of the forty cases of gold whenever he
wished, but that he had no special desire to see them all executed,
and he would plead their cause if they would go and put the gold in a
place he indicated. This was agreed to, and Ahmet continued to give
his wife a bean daily--but now with another purpose; he no longer
feared the loss of his head, but discounted by degrees the great
reward he hoped to receive. At last the final bean was given to his
wife, and Ahmet was summoned to the Palace. He went, and explained to
his Majesty that the stars refused both to reveal the thieves and the
gold, but whichever of the two his Majesty wished would be immediately
granted. The Treasury being low, it was decided that, provided the
cases were returned with the gold intact, his Majesty would be
satisfied. Ahmet conducted them to the place where the gold was
buried, and amidst great rejoicing it was taken back to the Palace.
The Sultan was so pleased with Ahmet, that he appointed him to the
office of Chief Astrologer, and his wife attained her desire.

The Sultan was one day walking in his Palace grounds accompanied by
his Chief Astrologer; wishing to test his powers he caught a
grasshopper, and holding his closed hand