n a few minutes I was a man again.

[Illustration: ZINEBI PUTS THE TURBAN ON THE POT]

'After the third hour of prayer Mohammed and Zinebi both returned, and
you can guess their surprise at finding a young man in the kitchen
instead of a copper pot! I told them my story, which at first they
refused to believe, but in the end I succeeded in persuading them that I
was speaking the truth. For two years more I lived with them, and was
treated like their own son, till the day when they sent me to this city
to seek my fortune. And now, my lords, here are the two letters which I
found in my turban. Perhaps they may be another proof in favour of my
story.'

Whilst Neangir was speaking, the blood from the Jew's wound had
gradually ceased to flow; and at this moment there appeared in the
doorway a lovely Jewess, about twenty-two years old, her hair and her
dress all disordered, as if she had been flying from some great danger.
In one hand she held two crutches of white wood, and was followed by two
men. The first man Neangir knew to be the brother of the Jew he had
struck with his sword, while in the second the young man thought he
recognised the person who was standing by when he was changed into a
pot. Both of these men had a wide linen band round their thighs and held
stout sticks.

[Illustration: THERE APPEARED IN THE DOORWAY A LOVELY JEWESS]

The Jewess approached the wounded man and laid the two crutches near
him; then, fixing her eyes on him, she burst into tears.

'Unhappy Izouf,' she murmured, 'why do you suffer yourself to be led
into such dangerous adventures? Look at the consequences, not only to
yourself, but to your two brothers,' turning as she spoke to the men who
had come in with her, and who had sunk down on the mat at the feet of
the Jew.

The Bassa and his companions were struck both with the beauty of the
Jewess and also with her words, and begged her to give them an
explanation.

'My lords,' she said, 'my name is Sumi, and I am the daughter of Moizes,
one of our most famous rabbis. I am the victim of my love for Izaf,'
pointing to the man who had entered last, 'and in spite of his
ingratitude, I cannot tear him from my heart. Cruel enemy of my life,'
she continued, turning to Izaf, 'tell these gentlemen your story and
that of your brothers, and try to gain your pardon by repentance.'

'We all three were born at the same time,' said the Jew, obeying the
command of Sumi at a sign from the Cadi, 'and