y kind attention from both Ali Baba and his wife.

After an interval of some months, the troop of robbers again visited
their retreat in the forest, and were completely astonished to find the
body taken away from the cave, and everything else remaining in its
usual order. "We are discovered," said the captain, "and shall certainly
be undone, if you do not adopt speedy measures to prevent our ruin.
Which of you, my brave comrades, will undertake to search out the
villain who is in possession of our secret?"

One of the boldest of the troop advanced, and offered himself; and was
accepted on the following conditions: namely, that if he succeeded in
his enterprise, he was to be made second in command of the troop; but
that if he brought false intelligence, he was immediately to be put to
death. The bold robber readily agreed to the conditions; and having
disguised himself, he proceeded to the city.

He arrived there about daybreak, and found the cobbler Mustapha in his
stall, which was always open before any other shop in the town. "Good
morrow, friend," said the robber, as he passed the stall, "you rise
betimes; I should think old as you are, you could scarcely see to work
by this light."

"Indeed, sir," replied the cobbler, "old as I am, I do not want for good
eyesight; as you must needs believe, when I tell you I sewed a dead body
together the other day, where I had not so good a light as I have now."

"A dead body!" exclaimed the robber; "you mean, I suppose, that you
sewed up the winding-sheet for a dead body."

"I mean no such thing," replied Mustapha; "I tell you that I sewed the
four quarters of a man together."

This was enough to convince the robber he had luckily met with the very
man who could give him the information he was in search of. However he
did not wish to appear eager to learn the particulars, lest he should
alarm the cobbler. "Ha! ha!" said he, "I find, good Mr. Cobbler, that
you perceive I am a stranger here, and you wish to make me believe that
the people of your city do impossible things."

"I tell you," said Mustapha in a loud and angry tone, "I sewed a dead
body together with my own hands."--"Then I suppose you can tell me also
where you performed this wonderful business." Upon this, Mustapha
related every particular of his being led blindfold to the house, etc.

"Well, my friend," said the robber, "it is a fine story, I confess, but
not very easy to believe; however, if you will convinc