d triumphant, but Ali Cogia with hanging head and bitterness of
heart.

But though the Cadi had decided against him, Ali was not willing to
let the matter rest there. He was determined to have justice done him,
even though he were obliged to appeal to the Caliph himself.

At that time Haroun-al-Raschid was Commander of the Faithful. Every
morning Haroun-al-Raschid went to the mosque to offer up prayers,
accompanied by his Grand Vizier and Mesrour the Chief Eunuch. As he
returned to the palace all who had complaints to make or petitions to
offer stationed themselves along the way and gave their complaints and
petitions in written form to Mesrour. Afterward these papers were
presented to the Caliph that he might read them and decide upon their
merits.

The day after the Cadi had dismissed the case of the two merchants,
Ali Cogia set out early in the morning and placed himself beside the
way where he knew the Caliph would pass.

In his hand he carried his complaint against Abul Hassan, written out
in due form. He waited until Haroun-al-Raschid was returning from the
mosque and then put the paper in the hand of Mesrour.

Later, when the Caliph was reading the papers, he was particularly
interested in the one presented by Ali Cogia: "This is a curious
case," said he to his Vizier, "and one which it will be difficult to
decide. Order the two merchants to appear before me to-morrow, and I
will hear what they have to say."

That evening the Caliph and his Vizier disguised themselves, and,
attended only by Mesrour, they went out to wander about the streets of
the city. It was the custom of the Caliph to do this, as in this way
he learned much about his people, their needs and wants and ways of
life, which would otherwise have been hidden from him.

For some time after they set out they heard and saw nothing of
importance, but as they came near to a court that opened off one of
the streets they heard the voices of a number of boys who were at play
there in the moonlight.

The Caliph motioned to his Vizier to be silent, and together they stole
to the opening of the court and looked in. The moon was so bright that
they could see clearly the faces of the boys at play there. They had
gathered about the tallest and most intelligent-looking lad, who
appeared to be their leader.

"Let us act out some play," the leader was saying. "I will be the
Cadi, and you shall bring some case before me to be tried."

"Very well," cried