Presently Nazuk[FN#146] the Wali mounted horse with four hundred headsmen and smiters of the sword, link-boys and low fellows,[FN#147] bearing cressets and paper-lanthorns under four head constables and rode to the house of the old woman.  Now all the gossips had departed to their abodes and were dispersed, nor did one of them remain behind; but the household had lighted wax candles and was expecting the bridegroom with bolted doors when behold, the Chief of Police came up and finding all shut bade his men knock with an easy rap.  This was heard by those within the hall and the ancient dame sprang up and went to the entrance, whence she espied gleams of light athwart the door-chinks and when she looked out of the window she saw the Wali and his merry men crowding the street till the way was cut.  Now the Chief had a lieutenant Shamamah[FN#148] hight, which was a meeting-place of ill manners and morals; for naught was dearer to him save the straitening of a Moslem, nor was there upon his body a single hair which affected or aided the veiling of Allah.[FN#149] Brief he was, even as the poet said,

“Whoreson and child of thousand pagans twain; * Son of the Road
     to lasting sin and bane;
The Lord of Ruth ne’er grew him e’en a hair * Was not with this
     or that of contact fain!"[FN#150]

Now this man, who was standing beside the Chief of Police, seized the opportunity of saying, “O Emir, what booteth our standing idle in this stead?  Better ’twere that we break down the door and rush in upon them and snatch what we want and loot all the stuffs in the house.”  Hereat came forward another lieutenant who was called Hasan[FN#151]—­the Handsome—­for that his face was fair and his works were fairer and he was a meeting-place of fairest deeds; and the same was wont to stand at the Wali’s door as a symbol of ruth to mankind.  So he came forward and said, “O Emir, this were not the rede which is right and yonder man’s words lack good counsel, seeing that none hath complained against this folk and we know not an the accused be a thief or not:  furthermore we fear consequences for that haply this merchant speaketh with an object, they having forbidden his marrying the girl:  do not therefore cast thyself into that shall harm thee, but rather let us enquire anent the matter openly and publicly; and should it prove to be as reported, then the Emir’s opinion shall prevail.”  All this took place while the old woman heard from behind the door whatso they said.  Hereat she dried up with dread and affright and going within acquainted her daughter with what had occurred and ended with, “The Wali still is standing at the door.”  The young lady was sore terrified and said to her mother, “Do thou bar[FN#152] the entrance till Allah haply deign bring us comfort.”  So the old woman fared forth and bolted and barred it yet more straitly; and when they knocked a second time she acknowledged the rap by “Who is at the door?” and the lieutenant Shamamah replied