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Rh Ed-Din, these are my witnesses, six merchants of this holy town, honored by every one and wealthy in the world's goods; they will swear to thee that they have known this woman for many years as the favorite inmate of my harem."

The kadee told the six merchants to approach, and the first merchant said: "Verily, O kadee, I have known this woman for long years as the Fatima of the Hadji's harem. Many a shawl and many a cunningly worked rug have I sold to her."

The second merchant said: "O kadee, truth is ever its own defense. This is the woman which long ago Nassim brought from amongst the tribes. Many a yard of silk have I spread at her feet, that she might choose and buy."

The third merchant said: "It is she, the apple of Nassim's eye. I remember well how, seven years ago, she came to my little shop in the bazaar, accompanied by two black attendants, and bought from me at a cheap price, be it said, an amber necklace which had once belonged to his eminent Highness, the great Effendi Bey of Tripoli."

The fourth merchant said: "Trade is needful for a poor man. Of me Nassim bought slippers and jewels and Turkish sweets when, many years