with him; and found him so well-bred, sensible intelligent, and refined, that he was astonished at him. Then Khâlid ordered some food to be brought, and when they had eaten and talked together for some time, said to him, "Of a truth, I felt convinced that thou hadst some other tale besides that of the theft. Therefore, to-morrow, when the people and the judges are present, and I ask of thee concerning the robbery, if thou dost deny it and throw doubt upon it, thou wilt save thyself from mutilation. For verily the Prophet of God has said, 'Doubts invalidate penal sentences.'" Then he ordered him back to the prison.
And when the morning dawned upon the world, there was left in el-Básrah neither man nor woman who abstained from coming to witness the punishment of that young man. And Khâlid was enthroned, and with him were the chief people of el-Básrah, besides others. And he sent for the judges, and desired the young man to be brought, who came hobbling in his chains; and there was not a woman but wept for him, crying aloud and bewailing him. But silence was imposed upon the people, and then Khâlid said to the young man, "Verily these people
