“And a good thing it was that we did attack him in that way; for, although he was hardly awake, he managed, while he was wrestling with us, to break one of Oulid Sekrad’s legs, and to put out one of Ali Oud Ama’s eyes. He smashed in five or six of poor Bou Senan’s teeth, and bit Otsman Oud Messassit’s back savagely.” “Justice of the Master of the World! is it possible to lie in this way? On the contrary, I have been half killed by you. Don’t you see my face is covered with blood?” “Son of a dog! you well know the blood is from poor Oud Messassit’s body.” “Sidi Abd-Allah!” exclaimed Ben Serraq. But it was of no use invoking the saints. Djilali called for a towel and a basin of water, and with them washed Ben Serraq’s face. The experiment established the fact that that interesting individual had not received the slightest scratch, and that the bite on the unfortunate Oud Messassit’s back must have been the only source of the stains. “Well, Ben Serraq,” said the president; “although I cannot entertain any reasonable doubt of your guilt, you are, nevertheless, at liberty to speak--let us hear what you have to say in justification.” “Ah! I am allowed to explain! Well; you will soon see! In the first place, my wife is a she-vagabond--everybody knows it--don’t they, Djilali?” But Djilali, who was particularly anxious to conceal all cognisance of the defendant’s affairs, only replied,--“May your tent catch fire! Pray, what connection have I ever had with you, that I should know how your wife employs herself?” “Very well; ’tis of no consequence. But the fact is notorious and incontestable--the she-dog betrays my honour.” “I will take your word for it,” said the court; “and then?--” “She has taken a fancy to Oud Raï, whose people’s shepherds have treated me so shamefully. I have often said to her, ‘Fatma, my darling, things cannot go on in this manner; your improper conduct sets everybody talking, and a modest and virtuous man, like myself, will soon be the laughing-stock of the whole country, and that on your account. Mind what you are about, else I shall be obliged to beat you; and you are aware, my beloved, that, when I do hit, I hit rather hard.’” “But I do not see what reference your matrimonial tribulations can have to the business now before us.” “I beg your pardon--you will see directly. I admonished her, therefore, with the utmost gentleness, in accordance with my natural disposition. But it was a waste of time and breath. She persevered in her infamous conduct till I was obliged, as a gentleman, to administer to her and to Oud Raï one day, a considerable number of kicks and thumps.” “But, again I ask, what have these details to do with the theft of which you stand accused? Explain yourself, more clearly.” “What! cannot a man of your great genius see, now, how things have been managed?” “I have an idea I can; but probably not in the same light as you do.”