openly to his sister's house, in which
it was agreed that he should in future live; but the money he had
taken from the robbers he conveyed thither by night. As for Cassim's
warehouse, he intrusted it entirely to the management of his eldest
son.

While these things were being done, the forty robbers again visited
their retreat in the forest. Great, then, was their surprise to find
Cassim's body taken away, with some of their bags of gold. "We are
certainly discovered," said the captain. "The removal of the body and
the loss of some of our money, plainly shows that the man whom we
killed had an accomplice: and for our own lives' sake we must try to
find him. What say you, my lads?"

All the robbers unanimously approved of the captain's proposal.

"Well," said the captain, "one of you, the boldest and most skillful
among you, must go into the town, disguised as a traveler and a
stranger, to try if he can hear any talk of the man whom we have
killed, and endeavor to find out who he was, and where he lived. This
is a matter of the first importance, and for fear of any treachery I
propose that whoever undertakes this business without success, even
though the failure arises only from an error of judgment, shall suffer
death."

Without waiting for the sentiments of his companions, one of the
robbers started up, and said, "I submit to this condition, and think
it an honor to expose my life to serve the troop."

After this robber had received great commendations from the captain
and his comrades, he disguised himself so that nobody would take him
for what he was; and taking his leave of the troop that night, he went
into the town just at daybreak. He walked up and down, till
accidentally he came to Baba Mustapha's stall, which was always open
before any of the shops.

Baba Mustapha was seated with an awl in his hand, just going to work.
The robber saluted him, bidding him good morrow; and perceiving that
he was old, said, "Honest man, you begin to work very early; is it
possible that one of your age can see so well? I question, even if it
were somewhat lighter, whether you could see to stitch."

"You do not know me," replied Baba Mustapha; "for old as I am, I have
extraordinary good eyes; and you will not doubt it when I tell you
that I sewed the body of a dead man together in a place where I had
not so much light as I have now."

"A dead body!" exclaimed the robber, with affected amazement.

"Yes, yes," answered B