“At this the Judge gave a little gesture of despair and sighed. Then he spoke.
“‘It is a principle of the law of this country,’ said His Holiness, leaning back in apparent weariness as though he were instructing a child, ‘I should have thought a principle known even to the meanest of His Majesty’s subjects, that a document must be proved. Have you proved the Charter of which you speak?’
“‘I don’t know what you mean, Your Holiness,’ said I, in very genuine fear.
“The Judge leaned forward towards me and said in measured tones: ‘Remember that I am treating you leniently. I am doing what I can for you, I understand the difficulty of your position. Take care! Take very great care! Brother Selim, have you any other questions to ask?’
“‘I have one or two of some consequence, if I may be allowed, Your Holiness?’
“‘Certainly, brother Selim. Pray continue. We are all ears.’
“The Pleader cleared his throat, again consulted his notes, looked up to me and said: ‘What were your earnings in games of hazard during the year concluding with the opening of the last Feast of Ramadan?’
“I answered that I had no exact calculation, but that I had small stomach for such pastimes, and might have won or lost anything between one hundred and two hundred dinars.
“‘Take care, take very great care!’ said His Holiness, addressing me again.