I made out the word 'Smyrna,' and this was
sufficient to confirm all my suspicions. The Jew returned no more; he
sent some porters to carry away the chest, and I heard nothing of him for
some time, till one day, when I was at the house of Damat Zade, I saw a
glimpse of the Jew passing hastily through one of the courts, as if he
wished to avoid me. 'My friend,' said I to Damat Zade, 'do not attribute
my question to impertinent curiosity, or to a desire to intermeddle with
your affairs, if I venture to ask the nature of your business with the
Jew who has just now crossed your court?'
"'He has engaged to supply me with clothing for my slaves,' replied my
friend, 'cheaper than I can purchase it elsewhere. I have a design to
surprise my daughter Fatima, on her birthday, with an entertainment in
the pavilion in the garden, and all her female slaves shall appear in new
dresses on the occasion.'
"I interrupted my friend, to tell him what I suspected relative to this
Jew and his chest of clothes. It is certain that the infection of the
plague can be communicated by clothes, not only after months, but after
years have elapsed. The merchant resolved to have nothing more to do
with this wretch, who could thus hazard the lives of thousands of his
follow-creatures for a few pieces of gold. We sent notice of the
circumstance to the cadi, but the cadi was slow in his operations; and
before he could take the Jew into custody the cunning fellow had effected
his escape.
Pages:
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62