This is what I told the caliph, added the barber; that prince applauded me with new fits of laughter.  Now, said he, I cannot doubt that they justly gave you the surname of Silent; nobody can say the contrary.  For certain reasons, however, I command you to depart this town immediately, and let me hear no more of your discourse.  I yielded to necessity, and went to travel several years in far countries.  I understood at last that the caliph was dead, and returned to Bagdad, where I found not one of my brethren alive.  It was on my return to this town that I did the important service to the same young man which you have heard.  You are, however, witness of his ingratitude, and of the injurious manner in which he treated me.  Instead of testifying his acknowledgments, he chose rather to fly from me, and to leave his own country.  When I understood that he was not at Bagdad, though nobody could tell me truly whither he was gone, yet I did not forbear to go and seek him.  I travelled from province to province a long time; and when I had given over all hopes, I met him this day; but I did not think to find him so incensed against me.

The tailor made an end of telling the sultan of Casgar the history of the lame young man, and the barber of Bagdad, after that manner I had the honour to tell your majesty.

When the barber, continued he, had finished his story, we found that the young man was not to blame for calling him a great prattler.  However, we were pleased that he would stay with us, and par take of the treat which the master of the house had prepared for us.  We sat down to table, and were merry together till afternoon prayers; then all the company parted, and I went to my shop, till it was time for me to return home.

It was during this interval that Hump-back came half drunk before my shop, where he sung and taboured.  I thought that, by carrying him home with me, I should divert my wife; therefore I brought him along.  My wife gave us a dish of fish, and I presented Hump-back with some, which he ate without taking notice of a bone.  He fell down dead before us; and, after having in vain essayed to help him, in the trouble occasioned us by such an unlucky accident, and through the fear of punishment, we carried the corpse out, and dexterously lodged it with the Jewish doctor.  The Jewish doctor put it into the chamber of the purveyor, and the purveyor carried it forth into the street, where it was believed the merchant had killed him.  This, sir, added the tailor, is what I had to say to satisfy your majesty, who must pronounce whether we be worthy of mercy or wrath, life or death.

The sultan of Casgar looked with a contented air, and gave the tailor and his comrades their lives.  I cannot but acknowledge, said he, that I am more amazed at the history of the young cripple, at that of the barber, and at the adventures of his brothers, than at the story of my jester; but before I send you all four away, and before we bury Hump, I would see the barber, who is the cause that I have pardoned you.  Since he is in my capital, it is easy to satisfy my curiosity.  At the same time he sent a serjeant with the tailor to find him.