While these things were being done, the forty robbers again visited their retreat in the forest. Great was their surprise to find Cassim’s body taken away, with some of their bags of gold. “We are certainly discovered,” said the captain. “The removal of the body, and the loss of some of our money, plainly shows that the man whom we killed had an accomplice: and for our own lives’ sake we must try and find him. What say you, my lads?”
All the robbers unanimously approved of the captain’s proposal.
“Well,” said the captain, “one of you must go into town, disguised as a traveler and a stranger, to try if he can hear any talk of the man whom we have killed, and endeavor to find out who he was, and where he lived. This is a matter of the first importance, and for fear of any treachery, I propose that whoever undertakes this business without success, even though the failure arises only from an error of judgment, shall suffer death.”
Without waiting for the sentiments of his companions, one of the robbers started up, and said, “I submit to this condition, and think it an honor to expose my life to serve the troop.”
After this robber had received great commendations from the captain and his comrades, he disguised himself so that nobody would discover him for what he was; and taking his leave of the troop that night, went into the town just at day-
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