Page:Katha sarit sagara, vol2.djvu/512

 detect them." When the king heard that, he placed scouts in the city at night to keep watch. But they did not catch the thieves and the mischief did not abate. Accordingly the king went out himself at night to investigate the matter. And as he was wandering about in every direction, alone, sword in hand, he saw a man going along on the top of the rampart; he seemed to tread lightly out of fear; his eyes rolled rapidly like those of a crow; and he looked round like a lion, frequently turning hid neck. He was rendered visible by the steel-gleams that flashed from his naked sword, which seemed like binding ropes sent forth to steal those jewels which men call stars.* And the king said to himself; " I am quite certain that this man is a thief; no doubt he sallies out alone and plunders this my city " Having come to this conclusion, the wily monarch went up to the thief ; and the thief said to him with some trepidation, " Who are you. Sir?" Then the king said to him, " I am a desperate robber, whose many vices make him hard to keep;† tell me in turn, who you are." The thief answered, " I am a robber, that goes out to plunder alone ; and I have great wealth; so come to my house: I will satisfy your longing for riches." When the thief made him this promise, the king said, " So be it," and went with him to his dwelling, which was in an underground excavation. It was inhabited by beautiful women, it gleamed with many jewels, it was full of ever new delights, and seemed like the city of the snakes ‡ Then the thief went into the inner chamber of his dwelling, and the king remained in the outer room; and while he was there, a female servant, compassionating him, came and said to him, " What kind of place have you entered? Leave it at once, for this man is a treacherous assassin, and as he goes on his expeditions alone, will be sure to murder you, to prevent his secrets being divulged. " § When the king heard that, he went out at once, and quickly repaired to his palace; and summoning his commander-in-chief, returned with his troops. And he came and surrounded the thief's dwelling, and made the bravest men enter it, and so brought the thief back a prisoner, and carried off all his wealth.