152 SALADIN: PRINCE OF CHIVALRY The Judge read it aloud. " I have witnesses," returned the Sultan, " to prove that at the said date Sonkor was in my possession and at Cairo. The year previous I had bought him with eight others, and he remained in my possession until he received his freedom." A number of important officials followed each other in the witness stand, all testifying in support of the Sultan's assertions. Evidently, it had been a case of mistaken identity and, while the plaintiff had acted in all sincerity, it had been upon false premises, a fact which he did not hesitate to admit. There was nothing for the Judge to do but dismiss the charges. Thus ended the one and only instance when Saladin was made to appear as a defendant in his own court. But that was not really the end, either, which came after the court proceedings were terminated and after a fashion truly unique to Saladin. Beha ed-din, whether it was that he wished the people to see what manner of man their sovereign really was, or because he thought Saladin did not fully understand the situation, explained to the latter that the complainant had not really meant to assail his equity, but had come into court relying upon him to do justice, if necessary even against himself. He had been confounded by the verdict, naturally, but was he to depart disappointed in his master's mercy? "Ah ! " said the Sultan, "that is quite another matter," then ordered a robe of honor to be given to Omar, and a sum of money ample to cover all his expenses.