This answer made him burst out a laughing. "Upon my word," said he, "you are a most extraordinary youth! Was the girl pretty, say you, monk?"
"The woman was indeed very beautiful, my lord."
"She has been blessed, however, with a singular taste. I think the stripling may almost be excused for this crime."
The monk then related the circumstances of the stolen money having been found on me, at which the judge shook his head, and said, "Alak, it is all over with him. He is unfit to live. What do you say to this, sirrah? Is it true?"
"Yes," said I.
"True that you stole your master's money?" said he.
"No, I never stole it, but it is true that it was there."
"What? you found it I suppose? Tell me the truth, did not you find it?"
"No, I never found it, nor ever saw it till it was taken out of my coat yesterday. I never had either gold or silver in my hand in my life."
"Your woman took it and sewed it in for you, then, I suppose?"