"That of a knave," returned Setoc.
"But I ask thee, whether he is lively or phlegmatic; cautious or imprudent?"
"He is, of all bad payers," said Setoc, "the most lively fellow I ever knew."
"Well," resumed Zadig, "allow me to plead thy cause."
In effect, Zadig having summoned the Jew to the tribunal, addressed the judge in the following terms:
"Pillow of the throne of equity, I come to demand of this man, in the name of my master, five hundred ounces of silver, which he refuses to repay."
"Hast thou any witnesses?" said the judge.
"No, they are dead; but there remains a large stone upon which the money was counted; and if it please thy grandeur to order the stone to be sought for, I hope that it will bear witness. The Hebrew and I will tarry here till the stone arrives. I will send for it at my master's expense."
"With all my heart," replied the judge, and immediately applied himself to the discussion of other affairs.
When the court was going to break up, the judge said to Zadig: