AGA-MERDAN. I must send and fetch them, and impress upon them to testify exactly opposite to what they saw. But, first of all, you must go and find them, and beg them, on your part, to bear faithful testimony. As soldiers are willing but poor, much the same as wretched beggars, these men will ask you what present you intend to make them after the trial. “My children,” you must answer them, “in an affair like this, it is not good to ask for a fee. You ought to give in your testimony solely for the sake of pleasing God, and he will fully reward you on the day of the resurrection.” AGA-SELMAN. Very good. AGA-MERDAN. You cannot guess even approximately what will be the testimony of these soldiers? AGA-SELMAN. Oh, yes, I know that. They will declare that two hours before the death of Hadji-Ghafour they betook themselves to his home, and that he said to them: “I am dying; and have no one in the world surviving me but a sister. Bury me as soon as I am dead.” AGA-MERDAN. Very good; but they will have to change that, and say that Hadji-Ghafour had a little son one month old. Exert yourself now, and go after these soldiers. [_Aga-Selman rises and leaves._] =Scene X= AGA-MERDAN [_alone_]. Thanks be to God, events are turning out excellently. This is the time when Aga-Kerim is to bring his witnesses. [_At this moment the door opens, and Aga-Kerim enters the room with the Inspector of the Market and four other individuals._] =Scene XI= THE INSPECTOR. Good-day, Aga-Merdan. AGA-MERDAN [_to Aga-Kerim, without turning or recognizing the Inspector_]. Good-day, you have found the Inspector? THE INSPECTOR. No need to find him, for he was never lost. That was an odd question of yours, Aga-Merdan. I see that you do not yet recognize me. AGA-MERDAN [_first of all leading aside Aga-Kerim_]. Go and fetch Aga-Selman, and make him point out to you the soldiers he spoke of, then bring them to me. [_Turns toward the Inspector._] My lord, present these gentlemen to me and inform me what sort of men they are. THE INSPECTOR. Here is Hepou, a professional gambler, who arrived here from Ardebil yesterday; the next is the famous Cheida, of Quzvin, who keeps a bank during the day, and dissipates during the night; then follows Qourban-Ali, of Hamaden, who is Jack-of-all-trades during the night, a hosier in the bazaar by daylight, and lodges with me at night. AGA-MERDAN. God be praised, they are all honest people, of good standing. But the profession of Hepou is slightly open to suspicion. There will be some distrust roused by his presence.