and the Forty Thieves ge SI

 

The robber was overjoyed to think that he had addressed
himself, at his first coming into the town, to a man who gave
him the information he wanted, without being asked. ‘A dead
man!’ replied he with amazement. ‘What could you sew up a
dead man for? You mean you sewed up his winding sheet.’

‘No, no, answered Baba Mustapha, ‘I know what I say;
you want to have me speak out, but you shall know no more.’

The robber needed no great insight to be persuaded that he
had discovered what he came about. He pulled out a piece of
gold, and putting it into Baba Mustapha’s hand, said, ‘I do not
want to know your secret, though I can assure you I would not
divulge it, if you trusted me. The only thing which.I request
of you is to do me the favour to point out the house where you
stitched up the dead man.’

‘If I wanted to do you that favour, replied Baba Mustapha,
holding the money in his hand, ready to return it, ‘I assure you
I cannot; on my word, I was taken to a certain place, where
they first blindfolded me, and then led me to the house, and
brought me back again after the same manner; therefore you
see the impossibility of doing what you desire.’

‘Well, replied the robber, ‘you may remember a little of the
way that you were led blindfold. Come, let me bind your eyes
at the same place. We will walk together by the same way
and turnings; perhaps you may remember some part; and as
everybody ought to be paid for their trouble, there is another
piece of gold for you: gratify me in what I ask you. So
saying, he put another piece of gold into his hand.

The two pieces of gold were a great temptation to Baba
Mustapha. He looked at them a long time in his hand, without
saying a word, thinking what he should do; but at last he
pulled out his purse, and put them in. ‘I cannot assure you,’
said he to the robber, ‘that I remember the way exactly; but, since

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