“Then let the two merchants come in,” said the Caliph.
Ali Cogia and Abul Hassan were at once brought in by the officers of the court. Ali Cogia brought with him the jar of olives, for so he had been commanded to do.
The Cadi who had judged between the two merchants had also been ordered to attend, and he entered and took the place assigned to him.
The Caliph then turned to the lad and bade him open the case by bidding the merchants tell their stories, and this, after a moment’s pause, the lad did.
Ali Cogia told his story just as he had before, stating that he had left with Abul Hassan seven years before a thousand pieces of gold packed in a jar and covered over with olives.
“Is this the jar you left with Abul Hassan?” asked the boy, pointing to the jar Ali had brought into court.
Ali stated that it was.
“Abul Hassan, do you also say this is the jar Ali Cogia left with you?” asked the lad.
Abul answered that it was. He also asked to be allowed to take his oath that the jar had not been disturbed after it was left in his warehouse until Ali Cogia had returned and removed it.