hat no
water should be supplied to the bazaar, from the Tigris, that as I was
sitting in my house, performing my sacred duties, and studying the
Koran, which I read in a loud voice, three merchants of Moussul claimed
and entreated my hospitality. The Koran has pointed out hospitality as a
virtue necessary to every true believer, and I hastened to open my door
and receive them."

"Indeed," replied the caliph, looking at Giaffar. "Tell me, beeldar,
what sort of looking personages might these Moussul merchants be?"

"Ill-favoured to a degree. One was a pot-bellied, rascally-looking
fellow, with a great beard, who looked as if he had just come out of a
jail. [The caliph winked at his vizier, as much as to say, There is your
portrait.] Another was a black-bearded, beetle-browed, hang-dog looking
rascal. [Giaffar bowed to the caliph.] And the third was a
blubber-lipped, weazen-faced skeleton of a negro. [Mesrour clapped his
hand to his dagger with impatience.] In short, your highness, I may
safely say that the three criminals whose heads have just been forfeited
to justice were, as far as appearances went, honest-looking men compared
to the three Moussul merchants. Nevertheless, as in duty bound, I
received these three men, gave them shelter, and spread a table of the
best before them. They indulged in kabobs, and asking for wine and
rakee, which, as forbidden by the law, I never taste, I went out and
purchased it for them. They did eat and drink till the dawn broke, and
then they departed."

"Indeed," said the caliph.

"The next night, to my great annoyance, they aroused me from my
devotions as before. Again did my substance disappear in providing for
their demands; and, after having eaten and drunk until they were
intoxicated, they went away, and I hoped to see them no more, as they
were not sparing in their observations upon the new decree of your
highness, relative to the shutting up of the baths."

"Proceed, good Yussuf."

"The third night they again came, and having no more money to spare, and
finding them still making my house a tavern, I hoped that they would
come no more; but they came again, a fourth night, and then behaved most
indecorously, singing lewd songs, and calling out for wine and rakee
until I could bear it no more, and I then told them that I could no
longer receive them. The fat-stomached one, whom I have before
mentioned, then rose, and said, 'Yussuf, we have proved your
hospitality, and we tha