“Beware what thou doest! I am an officer of the Dey’s palace and may not be treated thus with impunity.”
The cadi, who either did not, or pretended not, to believe the statement, replied sententiously—
“Justice takes no note of persons.—Proceed.”
The officers threw Baba on his face, and were about to proceed, when Ziffa in alarm advanced with the ring and confessed her guilt.
Upon this the cadi was still further perplexed, for he could not now undo the injustice of the blows given to the negro. After a few minutes’ severe thought he awarded the diamond ring to the old servant, and the two hundred blows to the master as being a false accuser.
The award having been given, the case was dismissed, and Hadji Baba went home with smarting soles, resolved to punish Ziffa severely.
“Spare me!” said Ziffa, whimpering, when her father, seizing a rod, was about to begin.
“Nay, thou deservest it,” cried Baba, grasping her arm.
“Spare me!” repeated Ziffa, “and I will tell you a great secret, which will bring you money and credit.”
The curiosity of the story-teller was awakened.