10
ALI BABA
received every kind attention both from Ali Baba and his wife.
After an interval of some months, the troop of robbers again visited their retreat in the forest, and were astonished to find the body removed from the cave, and every thing else remaining in its usual order.
'We are discovered,' said the Captain, 'and shall certainly be undone, if we do not adopt speedy measures to prevent our ruin. Which of you, my brave comrades will undertake to discover the villain who is in possession of our secret?'
One of the boldest of the troop advanced, and offered himself. He was accepted on the following condition:—that if he succeeded in his enterprise, he was to be made second in command of the troop; but that if he brought false intelligence, he was immediately to be put to death.
The bold robber readily agreed to the conditions, and disguising himself proceeded to the city.
He arrived there about day-break, and found the cobler Mustapha in his stall, which was always open before any shop in the town.
'Good morrow, friend,' said the robber as he passed the stall, 'you rise betimes: I should think, old as you are, you could scarcely see to work by this light.'
'Indeed, Sir,' replied the cobler, 'old as I am, I do not want for good eye-sight; as you
