All the robbers thought the captain’s proposal so advisable, that they unanimously approved of it, and agreed that they must lay all other enterprises aside, to follow this closely, and not give it up till they had succeeded.

“I expected no less,” said the captain, “from your fidelity to our cause:  but, first of all, one of you who is bold, artful, and enterprising, must go into the town, disguised as a traveller and a stranger, to try if he can hear any talk of the strange death of the man whom we have killed, as he deserved; and endeavour to find out who he was, and where he lived.  This is a matter of the first importance for us to ascertain, that we may do nothing which we may have reason to repent of, by discovering ourselves in a country where we have lived so long unknown, and where we have so much reason to continue:  but to warn him who shall take upon himself this commission, and to prevent our being deceived by his giving us a false report, which may be the cause of our ruin; I ask you all, if you do not think that in case of treachery, or even error of judgment, he should suffer death?”

Without waiting for the suffrages of his companions, one of the robbers started up, and said, “I submit to this condition, and think it an honour to expose my life, by taking the commission upon me; but remember, at least, if I do not succeed, that I neither wanted courage nor good will to serve the troop.”

After this robber had received great commendations from the captain and his comrades, he disguised himself so that nobody would take him for what he was; and taking his leave of the troop that night, went into the town just at day-break; and walked up and down, till accidentally he came to Baba Mustapha’s stall, which was always open before any of the shops.

Baba Mustapha was seated with an awl in his hand, just going to work.  The robber saluted him, bidding him good morrow; and perceiving that he was old, said, “Honest man, you begin to work very early:  is it possible that one of your age can see so well?  I question, even if it were somewhat lighter, whether you could see to stitch.”

“Certainly,” replied Baba Mustapha,” you must be a stranger, and do not know me; for old as I am, I have extraordinary good eyes; and you will not doubt it when I tell you that I sewed a dead body together in a place where I had not so much light as I have now.”

The robber was overjoyed to think that he had addressed himself, at his first coming into the town, to a man who in all probability could give him the intelligence he wanted.  “A dead body!” replied he with affected amazement, to make him explain himself.  “What could you sew up a dead body for?  You mean, you sewed up his winding sheet.”  “No, no,” answered Baba Mustapha, “I perceive your meaning; you want to have me speak out, but you shall know no more.”

The robber wanted no farther assurance to be persuaded that he had discovered what he sought.  He pulled out a piece of gold, and putting it into Baba Mustapha’s hand, said to him, “I do not want to learn your secret, though I can assure you I would not divulge it, if you trusted me with it.  The only thing which I desire of you is, to do me the favour to shew me the house where You stitched up the dead body.”