The vizier being arrived, inquired about the pastrycook. When he was brought before him, “My lord,” said Bedreddin, with tears in his eyes, “do me the favour to tell me in what I have offended you.” --“Ah, wretch,” exclaimed the vizier, “was it not thou who madest the cheesecake thou sentest me?”--“I confess that it was,” replied Bedreddin, “but what crime have I committed by doing so?”--“I will punish thee as thou deservest;” resumed Schemseddin Mohammed, “and it will cost thee thy life for having made so bad a cake.”--“Ah, good God,” cried Bedreddin, “what do I hear! is it a crime worthy of death to have made a bad cheesecake?”--“Yes,” replied the vizier, “and thou must not expect from me any other treatment.” While they were thus engaged together, the ladies, who were concealed, observed Bedreddin attentively, and had not much difficulty in recollecting him, although so long a time had elapsed since they had seen him. The joy they experienced was such, that they both fainted away. When they had recovered they wanted to go and embrace Bedreddin, but the promise they had made the vizier not to show themselves, prevailed over the most tender emotions of nature and love. As Schemseddin Mohammed had resolved to set off that same night, he ordered the tents to be struck, and the carriages to be prepared for the commencement of the journey. As for Bedreddin, he gave instructions that he might be put in a case well fastened, and carried on a camel. As soon as every thing was in readiness for their departure, the vizier and the people in his suite began their march. They travelled the whole of that night and the following day without resting; at the approach of night they stopped. They then took Bedreddin out of his case, to make him take some nourishment; but they were careful to keep him at a distance from his mother and his wife; and during the twenty days they were on their journey, they treated him in the same manner. When they arrived at Cairo, they encamped without the city walls, by order of the vizier Schemseddin Mohammed, who desired Bedreddin to be brought to him. When he was come, he said to a carpenter, whom he had sent for on purpose, “Go and get some wood, and cut out a large stake immediately.” “Ah, my lord,” cried Bedreddin, “what are you going to do with this stake?”--“To fasten you to it,” replied the vizier “and then have you dragged through all the quarters of the city, that every one may behold in thee a vile pastry-cook, who makes cheesecakes without putting pepper in them.” At these words, Bedreddin Hassan exclaimed in so pleasant a manner, that Schemseddin Mohammed had difficulty to refrain from laughter: “Great God! is it then for not having put pepper in a cheesecake, that I am condemned to suffer a death as cruel as ignominious?”