“O Muhammed!”
“Ready, O my lord,” came the answer aloud.
“Is all well?”
“Be sure it is. No need to whisper. Only friends hear us.”
“Then open and show us the place.”
“Gently, gently, O Excellency! I would first hold thy gift in my hand, for an earnest of good faith. Be not angry with Muhammed. Bethink thee, I know thee but a little. And I have grave need of the money. To thee it is nothing; to me much. Deign to indulge thy servant, O my soul!”
“Good. Then I give thee the half. The other half shall be thine when we come out with the things.”
“At thy pleasure, O lord of bounty!”
The gate was then opened, and Hassan made his gift to the sentry. Muhammed peered at the money and turned it over slowly, seeming dissatisfied. Weighing it in his hand, he remonstrated:
“O my eyes, this is very little. For me alone, it might suffice. But there are many besides me your helpers in this business. Think not I could act as I do, without the connivance of one or two of my superiors. Then ... the guard at the gate....”