"Well," retorted Sayyid Absál, "and has this pious Zantut by any chance dazzled you with his tale of great treasure? The tradition speaks of the promise of Suleiman, and the health of our cousin, Azizah, and not of chests of treasure."
"My lord," interrupted Zantut, "is it not also possible that this infidel impostor said nothing about the treasure so that he could keep it all for himself?"
"Even so," assented the Shareef.
"Now by Allah and by my beard!" thundered Sayyid Absál. "The issue is evaded! What of the stout swordsman of the tradition?"
"Humayd," replied Zantut, "is a great swordsman, even if he has not distinguished himself in street brawling in Tekrit."
"Then if he is such a swordsman, let him meet this kaffir in single combat, and may Allah judge between them!" demanded Sayyid Absál.
"That," conceded the Shareef, "would be fair."
Humayd's confusion did not escape Sayyid Absál. But the triumph was fleeting.
"My lord," protested Zantut, "need we put a revelation from Allah to the trial of combat? Would that be an auspicious beginning, making the favored of Allah prove himself against an infidel?"
"Assuredly not," agreed the Shareef.