I turned to the boy who was hiding behind me and asked:
‘Is that right?’
‘I was hungry, effendi. I have been without food since yesterday. I asked him if he had something to give me and he told me to go away.’ He lowered his head and added, ‘I took the first thing I found from his cart.’
‘The boy was just hungry,’ I scolded him. ‘He has committed no crime.’
‘If we fed all the beggars in this caravan, our supplies would run out in a week.’
‘We will pay for what has been taken.’
The merchant’s frown turned into a smile.
‘He took two loaves of bread and a dagger that has been in my family for years.’
‘That's not true, effendi,’ said the boy with indignation. ‘He is lying.’
‘How much do you want for the dagger and the bread?’
‘The dagger is solid silver and is worth fifty dinars.’
‘
