old, said: "Honest man, you begin to work very early: is it possible
that one of your age can see so well? I question, even if it were
somewhat lighter, whether you could see to stitch."

"Certainly," replied Baba Mustapha, "you must be a stranger, and do not
know me; for old as I am, I have extraordinarily good eyes; and you will
not doubt it when I tell you that I sewed a dead body together in a
place where I had not so much light as I have now." The robber was
overjoyed to think that he had addressed himself, at his first coming
into the town, to a man who in all probability could give him the
intelligence he wanted. "A dead body!" replied he with affected
amazement. "What could you sew up a dead body for? You mean you sewed up
his winding-sheet." "No, no," answered Baba Mustapha, "I perceive your
meaning; you want to have me speak out, but you shall know no more." The
robber wanted no farther assurance to be persuaded that he had
discovered what he sought. He pulled out a piece of gold, and putting it
into Baba Mustapha's hand, said to him: "I do not want to learn your
secret, though I can assure you I would not divulge it, if you trusted
me with it; the only thing which I desire of you is, to do me the favour
to shew me the house where you stitched up the dead body."

"If I were disposed to do you that favour," replied Baba Mustapha,
holding the money in his hand, ready to return it, "I assure you I
cannot. I was taken to a certain place, where I was blinded, I was then
led to the house, and afterward brought back again in the same manner;
you see, therefore, the impossibility of my doing what you desire."

"Well," replied the robber, "you may, however, remember a little of the
way that you were led blindfolded. Come, let me blind your eyes at the
same place. We will walk together; perhaps you may recognise some part;
and as everybody ought to be paid for his trouble, there is another
piece of gold for you; gratify me in what I ask you." So saying, he put
another piece of gold into his hand.

The two pieces of gold were great temptations to Baba Mustapha. He
looked at them a long time in his hand, without saying a word, thinking
with himself what he should do; but at last he pulled out his purse,
and put them in. "I cannot assure you," said he to the robber, "that I
can remember the way exactly; but since you desire, I will try what I
can do." At these words Baba Mustapha rose up, to the great joy of the
robber,