Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 4.djvu/77

THREE Hours after this fatal Accident, my Houſe was aſſaulted by the Judge’s Officers, accompanied with my Landlord and the Merchant that had falſly accuſed me of having ſtole the Necklace. I asked them, what brought them there? But inſtead of giving me any Anſwer, they bound me, calling me a thouſand Rogues, and telling me the Necklace belonged to the Governor of Damaſcus, who had loſt it above three Years ago, and whoſe Daughter had not been heard of ſince that time. Judge you what Thoughts rolled in my Mind, when I heard this News. However, I called all my Reſolution about me; I’ll tell, thinks I, I’ll tell the Governor the Truth; and ſo it will lie at his Door either to put me to Death, or to pardon me.

When I was brought before him, I obſerved he look’d upon me with an Eye of Compaſſion, from whence I propheſied good things. He ordered me to be untied, and addreſſing himſelf to the Jeweller who accus’d me and to my Landlord: Is this the Man, ſaid he, that ſold the Pearl Necklace? They had no ſooner anſwered yes; then, he ſaid, I’m ſure he did not ſteal the Necklace, and I am much aftoniſhed at the Injuſtice that has been done him. Theſe Words giving me Courage: Sir, ſaid I, I do aſſure you I am in Effect very innocent. I am likewiſe fully perſuaded the Necklace never did belong to my Accuſer, whom I never ſaw, and whoſe horrible Perſidiouſneſs is the Cauſe of my unjuſt Treatment. ’Tis true, I made a Confeſſion as if I had ſtole it; but this I did- contrary to my Conſcience, thro’ the Force of Torture, and of another Reaſon that I am ready to tell you, if you’ll be ſo good as to hear me. I know enough of it already, replied the Governor, to do you one part of the Juſtice that is due to you. Take from hence, continued-he, take the falſe Accuſer, let him under go the ſame Puniſhment he caus’d to be inflifted on this young Man; whoſe Innocence is known to me.

The Governor’s Orders were immediately put in Execution; the Jeweller was puniſhed according to his Demerit. Then the Governor having ordered all the Company to withdraw; ſaid to me: My Child, tell me without tear