The caliph was highly pleased at the firmness with which this order was given, and perceived that Abou Hassan was resolved not to lose the opportunity of punishing the imaum and the other four old hypocrites of his quarter.  In the mean time the grand vizier went on with his report, and had just finished, when the judge of the police came back from executing his commission.  He approached the throne with the usual ceremony, and said, “Commander of the faithful, I found the imaum and his four companions in the mosque, which your majesty pointed out; and as a proof that I have punctually obeyed your commands, I have brought an instrument signed by the principal inhabitants of the ward.”  At the same time he pulled a paper out of his bosom, and presented it to the pretended caliph.

Abou Hassan took the paper, and reading it over cautiously with the names of the witnesses, who were all people he knew, said to the judge of the police, smiling, “It is well; I am satisfied; return to your seat.”  “These old hypocrites,” said he to himself, with an air of satisfaction “who thought fit to censure my actions, and find fault with my entertaining honest people, deserved this punishment.”  The caliph all the time penetrated his thoughts, and felt inconceivable delight at his frolic.

Abou Hassan, then addressing himself to the grand vizier, said, “Go to the high treasurer for a purse of a thousand pieces of gold, and carry it to the mother of one Abou Hassan, who is known by the name of the debauchee; she lives in the same quarter to which I sent the judge of the police.  Go, and return immediately.”

The grand vizier, after laying his hand upon his head, and prostrating himself before the throne, went to the high treasurer, who gave him the money, which he ordered a slave to take, and to follow him to Abou Hassan’s mother, to whom he gave it, saying only, “The caliph makes you this present.”  She received it with the greatest surprise imaginable.

During the grand vizier’s absence, the judge of the police made the usual report of his office, which lasted till the vizier returned.  As soon as he came into the council-chamber, and had assured Abou Hassan that he had executed his orders, Mesrour, the chief of the eunuchs, made a sign to the viziers, the emirs, and other officers, that the council was over, and that they might all retire; which they did, by making the same prostration at the foot of the throne as when they entered.

Abou Hassan descended from the caliph’s throne, and Mesrour went before him, to shew him the way into an inner apartment, where there was a table spread; several eunuchs ran to tell the musicians that the sham caliph was coming, when they immediately began a concert of vocal and instrumental music, with which Abou Hassan was so charmed and transported, that he could not tell what to think of all he saw and heard.  “If this is a dream,” said he, “it is a long one.  But certainly,” continued he, “it is no dream; for I can see and feel, walk and hear, and argue reasonably; whatever it is, I trust in God; I cannot but believe that I am the commander of the faithful, for no other person could live in this splendour.  The honour and respect that has been strewn me, and the obedience paid to my commands, are sufficient proofs of my exaltation.”