They had poured into the house--a single room, illumined only by a saucer lamp upon the ground--and searched it thoroughly, the cabman all the while protesting his great innocence, and swearing he had never in this world beheld a whip like that described.

The soldiers, finding no whip, were beginning to believe his word when Rashid, who had remained aloof, observing that the cabman's wife stood very still beneath her veils, assailed her with a mighty push, which sent her staggering across the room.

The whip was then discovered.

It had been hidden underneath her petticoats.

They had given the delinquent a good beating then and there.