Storia do Mogor 39.2.1

39.2.1

Among other things, the king reflected that the bag had been in the hands of Muhammad Riza, that he could have cut it open and then closed it. Therefore he decided to put his suspicions to the test. Thus do princes act who desire to have justice done in their realms! He resolved to burn a piece of the carpet on which he sat, a piece of rich stuff excellently woven, and so much prized that he seldom used it to sit upon. Secretly he burnt a hole in the said carpet, and said nothing about it. The employe who had charge of it, discovering the burn, was in great fear lest the king might order his hand to be cut off, or otherwise punish him for taking so little care of such a precious article. Taking possession of the carpet, he removed it in secret to his own house, and diligently searched for a workman who could darn it so perfectly that no one could see that it had been repaired. Through it so happened that he got hold of the workman who had sewn up the bag. After some days the king asked where his favourite carpet was. When they had brought it and spread it out, the king took his seat upon it, and, without attracting attention, searched for anything in the nature of a darn. In spite of its having been repaired, he could not find the place. Thereupon the king ordered the employe to produce in his presence the workman who had darned the burnt place. The man, being frightened by this sudden question, could not deny, and went off to bring the workman.