Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/150

Rh assert that thou didst enter their house and didst steal their goods. What sayest thou?"

He replied, "They speak the truth, O Prince! I did enter their house, and did steal of their possessions."

Perhaps," said Khâlid, "it was something of no great value that thou stolest?"

"On the contrary," said he, "I stole their goods of greatest worth."

"Then it may be," said Khâlid, "that it was not in its proper place when thou didst lay hands upon it?"

"Not so," he answered, "it was placed in security."

"But it may chance that thou wert partner with these people in a portion of it," suggested Khâlid.

"No," said he, "the whole of it was theirs; I had no right whatsoever to it."

Then Khâlid grew furious, and went up and struck