be sacrificed. He would see that
his life was spared and that he was soon set at liberty!

The Arab meanwhile had concluded his examination; still he was not
perfectly satisfied. Orion longed to interpose; for if the merchant
expressed no doubts and acknowledged the recovered gem to be the stolen
one, much would be gained; so he turned to him again and said: "May I ask
you to show me the emerald once more? It is quite impossible, do you
think, that a second should be found to match it?"

"That is too much to assert," said the Arab gravely. "This stone
resembles that on the hanging to a hair; and yet it has a little
inequality which I do not remember noticing on it. It is true I had never
seen it out of the setting, and this little boss may have been turned
towards the stuff, and yet, and yet.--Tell me, goldsmith, did the thief
give you the emerald bare--unset?"

"As bare as Adam and Eve before they ate the apple," said the Jew.

"That is a pity--a great pity!--And still I fancy that the stone in the
work was a trifle longer. In such a case it is almost folly and
perversity to doubt, and yet I feel--and yet I ask myself: Is this really
the stone that formed that bud?"

"But Heaven bless us!" cried Orion, "the twin of such an unique gem would
surely not drop from the skies and at the same moment into one and the
same house. Let us be glad that the lost sheep has come back to us. Now,
I will lock it into this iron casket, Father, and as soon as the robber
is caught you send for me: do you understand, Psamtik?" He nodded to his
parents, offered his hand to the Arab, and that in a way which could not
fail to satisfy any one, so that even the old man was won over; and then
he left the room.

The merchant's honor was saved; still his conscientious soul was
disturbed by a doubt that he could not away with. He was about to take
leave but the Mukaukas was so buried in pillows, and kept his eyes so
closely shut, that no one could detect whether he were sleeping or
waking; so the Arab, not wishing to disturb him, withdrew without
speaking.

ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS:

Ancient custom, to have her ears cut off
Caught the infection and had to laugh whether she would or no
Gave them a claim on your person and also on your sorrows
How could they find so much pleasure in such folly
Of two evils it is wise to choose the lesser
Prepared for the worst; then you are armed against failure