Sitta Nefysseh was considered rich, and that was perhaps her crime;
or will your highness be kind enough to inform us if Sitta Nefysseh
is accused of any other crime!"
"She is," replied Cousrouf. "She is accused of the most shameful of
all crimes. Her kachef attempted to corrupt one of my soldiers,
offering him double pay if he would desert to the army of the
rebellious Mamelukes."
"Is that proven, highness ?" asked the sheik.
"It is proven! I possess written proof of the fact. Here it is; read
it for yourselves. This attempt has excited the just wrath of my
good soldiers. Believe it was in order to protect Sitta Nefysseh
from the fury of my soldiers that I called her here. I repeat it,
Sitta Nefysseh, Mourad Bey's widow, has endeavored to corrupt, and
has offered my soldiers double pay. She is now in my power, and I
will punish her; yet, I will be merciful on your account. Let her do
as she offered--let her give my soldiers their pay, and her offence
shall be overlooked this time."
"That would be a punishment not prescribed by law," replied the
sheik, quietly. "If Sitta Nefysseh is really guilty of the crime of
which you accuse her, she is indeed very culpable, highness; but she
can not atone for it with money. Her guilt must, however, be proven;
and it devolves upon us, the representatives of public justice, to
consider and determine whether Sitta Nefysseh is guilty or not.
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