ar in these rags
before a Cadi Effendi? But I am poor, and have no suitable dress."

"Let not that be a hindrance, O Khoja!" said the Jew. "For I have a
pelisse made of the most beautiful fur, which I will send for without
delay."

In due time this arrived, and, richly clothed, the Khoja rode through
the streets with a serene countenance, the Jew money-lender running
after him in the greatest anxiety.

When they came before the Cadi, the Jew prostrated himself, and cried in
piteous tones, "Help, O most noble Dispenser of Justice! This Khoja has
stolen from me nine hundred and ninety-nine pieces of gold--and now he
denies it."

Then the Cadi turned to the Khoja, who said: "O Cadi Effendi, I did
indeed earnestly desire a thousand pieces of gold, and this purse came
to me in fulfilment of my wishes. But when I counted the pieces I found
one short. Then I said, 'The bountiful giver of these will certainly
send the other also.' So I accepted what was given to me. But in this
Jew money-lender is the spirit of covetousness. For half a farthing, O
Cadi, he would, without doubt, lay claim to the beast I ride, or to the
coat on my back."

"O my soul!" screamed the Jew. "It is indeed true that they are mine.
The mule and the fur pelisse belong to me, O Cadi!"

"O you covetous rascal!" said the Cadi, "you will lay claim to my turban
next, or to the Sultan's horses." And he commanded the Jew to be driven
from his presence.

But the Khoja rode home again, and--he accepted the mule and the fur
pelisse, as well as the nine hundred and ninety-nine pieces of gold.

_Tale_ 2.--The Khoja at the Marriage Feast.

On the following day Khoja Effendi went to a marriage feast, dressed in
his old clothes.

His appearance was indeed very shabby, and the attendants were almost
disposed to refuse him admission, but he slipped in whilst honours and
compliments were being paid on the arrival of some grander guests. Even
those who knew him well were so much ashamed of his dress as to be glad
to look another way to avoid saluting him.

All this was quickly observed by the Khoja, and after a few moments
(during which no one asked him to be seated) he slipped out and ran
home, where he put on the splendid fur pelisse which he had accepted
from the Jew money-lender, and so returned to the door of the house of
feasting.

Seeing a guest so richly apparelled draw near, the servants ran out to
meet him with all signs of respect, and the maste