“When we came to talk over the matter, I was surprised to find him so reasonable in his demands.  On one point, indeed, he appeared unwilling to comply.  I required not only to see the clothes I was offered, but also to know how they came into his possession.  On this subject he equivocated; I, therefore, suspected there must be something wrong.  I reflected what it could be, and judged that the goods had been stolen, or that they had been the apparel of persons who had died of some contagious distemper.  The Jew showed me a chest, from which he said I might choose whatever suited me best.  I observed that, as he was going to unlock the chest, he stuffed his nose with some aromatic herbs.  He told me that he did so to prevent his smelling the musk with which the chest was perfumed; musk, he said, had an extraordinary effect upon his nerves.  I begged to have some of the herbs which he used himself, declaring that musk was likewise offensive to me.

“The Jew, either struck by his own conscience or observing my suspicions, turned as pale as death.  He pretended he had not the right key, and could not unlock the chest; said he must go in search of it, and that he would call on me again.

“After he had left me, I examined some writing upon the lid of the chest that had been nearly effaced.  I made out the word ‘Smyrna,’ and this was sufficient to confirm all my suspicions.  The Jew returned no more; he sent some porters to carry away the chest, and I heard nothing of him for some time, till one day, when I was at the house of Damat Zade, I saw a glimpse of the Jew passing hastily through one of the courts, as if he wished to avoid me.  ‘My friend,’ said I to Damat Zade, ’do not attribute my question to impertinent curiosity, or to a desire to intermeddle with your affairs, if I venture to ask the nature of your business with the Jew who has just now crossed your court?’

“‘He has engaged to supply me with clothing for my slaves,’ replied my friend, ’cheaper than I can purchase it elsewhere.  I have a design to surprise my daughter Fatima, on her birthday, with an entertainment in the pavilion in the garden, and all her female slaves shall appear in new dresses on the occasion.’

“I interrupted my friend, to tell him what I suspected relative to this Jew and his chest of clothes.  It is certain that the infection of the plague can be communicated by clothes, not only after months, but after years have elapsed.  The merchant resolved to have nothing more to do with this wretch, who could thus hazard the lives of thousands of his follow-creatures for a few pieces of gold.  We sent notice of the circumstance to the cadi, but the cadi was slow in his operations; and before he could take the Jew into custody the cunning fellow had effected his escape.  When his house was searched, he and his chest had disappeared.  We discovered that he sailed for Egypt, and rejoiced that we had driven him from Constantinople.