I, therefore, bade
the Jew follow me home, saying that I would consider of his proposal.
"When we came to talk over the matter, I was surprised to find him so
reasonable in his demands. On one point, indeed, he appeared unwilling
to comply. I required not only to see the clothes I was offered, but
also to know how they came into his possession. On this subject he
equivocated; I, therefore, suspected there must be something wrong. I
reflected what it could be, and judged that the goods had been stolen, or
that they had been the apparel of persons who had died of some contagious
distemper. The Jew showed me a chest, from which he said I might choose
whatever suited me best. I observed that, as he was going to unlock the
chest, he stuffed his nose with some aromatic herbs. He told me that he
did so to prevent his smelling the musk with which the chest was
perfumed; musk, he said, had an extraordinary effect upon his nerves. I
begged to have some of the herbs which he used himself, declaring that
musk was likewise offensive to me.
"The Jew, either struck by his own conscience or observing my suspicions,
turned as pale as death. He pretended he had not the right key, and
could not unlock the chest; said he must go in search of it, and that he
would call on me again.
"After he had left me, I examined some writing upon the lid of the chest
that had been nearly effaced.
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