Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/47

18 has been decreed by the Imâm, and am satisfied with what the law of el-Islám ordains. But I have a little brother whose aged father before his decease left exclusively to him a great deal of wealth and much gold. And on his death-bed the old man brought him into my presence, and committed his affairs to me, and said, 'This is in your keeping for your brother; take it and guard it zealously.' And upon that I made choice of a spot for burying it, and placed it there. And no one knows of it except myself, and if you order my immediate execution the gold will be lost, and you will have been the cause, and the child will demand his reckoning from you on the day when God shall judge between His creatures. But if you will grant me a delay of three days, I shall have nominated some one to take charge of the boy's affairs, and will return obedient to the rein. And I know one who will guarantee these my words."

Then ʾOmar lowered his eyes and was silent. Presently he looked at those who were near, and asked, "Who will stand surety for him, and for his return to this place?" Then the young man studied the countenances of the spectators of the Council, and