The jeweller arrived, and, pressing his hand to his heart, bowed before
Honain.
'Value this ring,' said Honain, in a low voice.
The jeweller took the ring, viewed it in all directions with a
scrutinising glance, held it to the light, pressed it to his tongue,
turned it over and over, and finally declared that he could not sell
such a ring under a thousand dirhems.
'Whatever be the justice of the case,' said Honain to Abdallah, 'art
thou ready to part with this ring for a thousand dirhems?'
'Most certainly,' said Abdallah. 'And thou, lad, if the decision be in
thy favour, wilt thou take for the ring double the worth at which the
jeweller prizes it?'
'My lord, I have spoken the truth. I cannot part with that ring for the
palace of the Caliph.'
'The truth for once is triumphant,' said Honain. 'Boy, the ring is
thine; and for thee, thou knave,' turning to Abdallah, 'liar, thief, and
slanderer!--for thee the bastinado,[21] which thou destinedst for
this innocent youth. Ibrahim, see that he receives five hundred. Young
pilgrim, thou art no longer destitute or friendless. Follow me to my
palace.'
The arched chamber was of great size and beautiful proportion. The
ceiling, encrusted with green fretwork, and studded with silver stars,
rested upon clustered columns of white and green marble.
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