Ali Cogia carried the merchant before the Cauzee, I believe.
VIZIER. Yes; he claimed that the merchant had taken from him one thousand
pieces of gold.
CALIPH. Proceed; I would know all.
VIZIER. Ali Cogia left with this merchant, so he says, a jar in which he
had placed this money. Upon his return, which was but yesterday, he went
to the merchant, and, having received the jar, opened it. To his surprise
he found that the gold, which he had hidden below a layer of olives, was no
longer there.
CALIPH. Ah, that is what Ali Cogia says. What says the merchant?
VIZIER. The merchant made oath before the Cauzee that he did not know there
was money in the jar, and so of course could not have taken it.
CALIPH. And the Cauzee dismissed the merchant, I believe.
VIZIER. Yes, Commander of the Faithful, the merchant was acquitted.
CALIPH. This Ali Cogia presented a petition to me to-day, and I promised to
hear him to-morrow. Would that I could know the truth of the matter that I
may give a just sentence!
[_They arrive at the court where several_ CHILDREN _are playing in the
moonlight. The Caliph stops to watch them._]
FIRST CHILD. Let us play that the Cauzee is trying the Merchant.
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