Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/42

26 The thought came to the Egyptian that to die would bring an end to his troubles, and so he said to the searchers: "I am he."

Then they laid hands on him, and led him away to prison. In the morning he was taken before the judge, who sentenced him to death.

Now among those who went to witness the execution was the merchant whom he had befriended, and who knew him at once. He was horrified at the sad plight of his friend.

"What!" cried he, "Shall he be done to death while I live?" Then he raised his voice and shouted: "Hold! Do not destroy an innocent man. I am the murderer, and not he."

He was at once arrested, and both were taken to the place of execution. The sentence was about to be carried out when there came another interruption, this time from the real murderer, who happened to be present.

Seeing these two men about to die for a crime which he had committed, he was filled with remorse. He said to himself: "I will not permit innocent blood to be shed; if I do,