話說秦丞相起來看牆上寫的兩首詩，是賊人留下筆跡。上寫的是：
话说秦丞相起来看墙上写的两首诗，是贼人留下笔迹。上写的是：
Now, Chancellor Qin got up and looked at the two poems written on the wall, left in the thief’s own hand. The writing read:
乾元宇宙逞英雄，坤刀一口任縱橫。
乾元宇宙逞英雄，坤刀一口任纵横。
Qian, primal heaven: through all the cosmos I play the hero;Kun, the earth: with a single saber I range wherever I please.
盜取大位奸邪佞，鼠走山川樂無窮。
盗取大位奸邪佞，鼠走山川乐无穷。
Stealer of high office: the traitor, wicked and fawning;like a rat I scurry over hills and streams, my joy without end.
化日光天日正中，雲遊四海屬我能。
化日光天日正中，云游四海属我能。
In broad daylight, with the sun at its height,to roam like a cloud over the four seas — that is my gift.
龍天保佑神加護，偷盜奸臣氣不平。
龙天保佑神加护，偷盗奸臣气不平。
Dragons and devas guard me, the gods keep me safe;I rob the treacherous minister, for my anger will not rest.
秦相看下面還有一首是四句，寫的是：
秦相看下面还有一首是四句，写的是：
Below it, Chancellor Qin saw, was another poem of four lines. It read:
一口單刀背後插，實是雲龍走天涯。
一口单刀背后插，实是云龙走天涯。
A single saber thrust behind my back —it is truly Yunlong, roaming the ends of the earth.
丞相若見俠義客，著派臨安太守拿。
丞相若见侠义客，着派临安太守拿。
Should the Chancellor wish to meet this gallant,let him order Lin’an’s prefect to arrest me.
秦相看罷，立刻到朝房，派人遞了請假的折子，然後派人到臨安太守衙門，把臨安太守請來。不多時太守來到，一稟見，來到書房，趙鳳山說：「丞相呼喚卑職，有何吩咐？」秦相說：「我請太守到我家驗勘。昨天晚上竟有江洋大盜，把我的傳家之寶，奇巧玲瓏透體玉鐲一對，十三掛寶貝垂珠鳳冠一頂盜去，臨走還留有兩首詩。」太守一聞此言，嚇的魂驚千里，說：「卑職即刻派人晝夜巡查，帝都之所，人煙稠密，最易藏奸。丞相開恩，候卑職回去，趕緊派差拿賊。」丞相說：「我給太守期限三天，要把賊人拿住，將我的傳家之寶交回。」太守無奈，說：「遵鈞諭。」把賊人所留的詩句抄下來，帶著回衙。
秦相看罢，立刻到朝房，派人递了请假的折子，然后派人到临安太守衙门，把临安太守请来。不多时太守来到，一禀见，来到书房，赵凤山说：「丞相呼唤卑职，有何吩咐？」秦相说：「我请太守到我家验勘。昨天晚上竟有江洋大盗，把我的传家之宝，奇巧玲珑透体玉镯一对，十三挂宝贝垂珠凤冠一顶盗去，临走还留有两首诗。」太守一闻此言，吓的魂惊千里，说：「卑职即刻派人昼夜巡查，帝都之所，人烟稠密，最易藏奸。丞相开恩，候卑职回去，赶紧派差拿贼。」丞相说：「我给太守期限三天，要把贼人拿住，将我的传家之宝交回。」太守无奈，说：「遵钧谕。」把贼人所留的诗句抄下来，带着回衙。
When he had read them, Chancellor Qin went at once to the court waiting rooms and had a memorial sent in asking for leave. Then he sent men to the Lin’an prefect’s yamen to invite the prefect of Lin’an over. Before long the prefect arrived. As soon as he was announced he was shown to the study. “The Chancellor has summoned your subordinate,” said Zhao Fengshan. “What are your orders?” “I have asked you here, Prefect, to inspect my house,” said Chancellor Qin. “Last night a notorious bandit actually got in and stole my family heirlooms — a pair of translucent jade bracelets of exquisite workmanship and a phoenix crown hung with thirteen strands of jewels and pearls. And before he left, he wrote two poems.” At these words the prefect was so frightened his soul fled a thousand li. “Your subordinate will send men at once to search day and night,” he said. “This is the imperial capital, thick with people, the easiest place for villains to hide. Be gracious, Chancellor. As soon as your subordinate is back, I’ll send runners out to catch the thief.” “I give you three days, Prefect,” said the Chancellor. “Catch the thief and return my family heirlooms.” The prefect had no choice. “As Your Excellency commands.” He copied down the poems the thief had left and took them back to his yamen.
到了衙門，派人請錢塘、仁和二縣，並鎮虎廳所屬的官員，一並前來。等眾人齊到太守衙門，趙鳳山說：「現在丞相府失去玉鐲、鳳冠，相爺把我傳去，給了三天限，緝拿賊人，諸公回衙，趕緊派人訪拿，如有人拿獲賊人，一府兩縣共賞銀一千二百兩，諸公回去急辦為妙，倘賊人逃竄無著落，你我有地面疏防之處，恐丞相開參。」
到了衙门，派人请钱塘、仁和二县，并镇虎厅所属的官员，一并前来。等众人齐到太守衙门，赵凤山说：「现在丞相府失去玉镯、凤冠，相爷把我传去，给了三天限，缉拿贼人，诸公回衙，赶紧派人访拿，如有人拿获贼人，一府两县共赏银一千二百两，诸公回去急办为妙，倘贼人逃窜无着落，你我有地面疏防之处，恐丞相开参。」
Back at his yamen, he sent to invite the magistrates of Qiantang and Renhe Counties and the officers under the Zhenhu Office to come together. When they had all gathered at the prefect’s yamen, Zhao Fengshan said, “Chancellor Qin’s mansion has lost a pair of jade bracelets and a phoenix crown. His Excellency called me in and gave me three days to catch the thief. Gentlemen, go back to your yamens and send men out to hunt for him at once. If anyone catches the thief, the prefecture and the two counties will pay a reward of twelve hundred taels of silver between us. You had best go back and see to it quickly. If the thief gets away and can’t be found, you and I will be guilty of laxity in guarding our ground, and I’m afraid the Chancellor will impeach us.”
大眾立刻下去回衙，各派妥差，緝捕賊人。三天如何拿得著？錢塘縣知縣劉通英，原是兩榜出身，為人正直，回衙立刻派趙大、王二等八名差役，出去訪案。仁和縣派田來報、萬恆山出去，標出賞格，務宜各盡心。三天渺無蹤跡，幸喜太守托羅丞相見了秦丞相，又寬限三天。又過了三日，並未見賊的蹤影，仁和縣又求京營殿帥轉求秦相，再寬限三天。府縣就求六部九卿十三科道，這個見秦相寬限三天，那個見秦相寬限三天，不知不覺就是兩個多月的光景，也並未將賊拿住。
大众立刻下去回衙，各派妥差，缉捕贼人。三天如何拿得着？钱塘县知县刘通英，原是两榜出身，为人正直，回衙立刻派赵大、王二等八名差役，出去访案。仁和县派田来报、万恒山出去，标出赏格，务宜各尽心。三天渺无踪迹，幸喜太守托罗丞相见了秦丞相，又宽限三天。又过了三日，并未见贼的踪影，仁和县又求京营殿帅转求秦相，再宽限三天。府县就求六部九卿十三科道，这个见秦相宽限三天，那个见秦相宽限三天，不知不觉就是两个多月的光景，也并未将贼拿住。
Everyone went straight back to their yamens and sent reliable men out to hunt the thief. But how could he be caught in three days? Liu Tongying, the magistrate of Qiantang, had passed both the provincial and the metropolitan examinations and was an upright man. Back at his yamen he at once sent Zhao Da, Wang Er and others, eight runners in all, out to investigate the case. Renhe County sent out Tian Laibao and Wan Hengshan and posted a reward, urging every man to do his utmost. Three days passed without a trace. Fortunately the prefect asked Chancellor Luo to see Chancellor Qin, and the time was extended three more days. Another three days went by with no sign of the thief, and the Renhe magistrate begged the commander of the capital garrison to plead with Chancellor Qin for three days more. After that the prefecture and the counties went begging to the Six Ministries, the Nine Dignitaries and the Thirteen Censorial Offices: this one saw Chancellor Qin and got three more days, that one saw Chancellor Qin and got three more days, and before anyone knew it more than two months had gone by, and still the thief had not been caught.
這天，太守又去求秦相，秦相說：「我原是給你三天限緝拿，皆因眾大人來求，面目相觀，已經兩個月有餘，你並未將賊拿獲，實屬捕務廢弛，我明天必要開參於你。」太守說：「相爺格外施恩，卑職等現在派人去迎請靈隱寺的濟公長老，祇要他老人家一來，要拿這些賊人，易如反掌耳，毫不費吹灰之力。」秦相說：「你提的就是本閣的替僧濟顛和尚？我正然想念他，他現在哪裏？」趙鳳山說：「濟公現在我兄弟家中，給我嬸母治眼，我已派人去請。」秦相說：「我看在濟公的面上，再給你幾天限，你趕緊把濟公給我請來。」趙太守唯唯聽令，回衙派柴元祿、杜振英帶上盤費直奔昆山，去請濟公。
这天，太守又去求秦相，秦相说：「我原是给你三天限缉拿，皆因众大人来求，面目相观，已经两个月有余，你并未将贼拿获，实属捕务废弛，我明天必要开参于你。」太守说：「相爷格外施恩，卑职等现在派人去迎请灵隐寺的济公长老，祇要他老人家一来，要拿这些贼人，易如反掌耳，毫不费吹灰之力。」秦相说：「你提的就是本阁的替僧济颠和尚？我正然想念他，他现在哪里？」赵凤山说：「济公现在我兄弟家中，给我婶母治眼，我已派人去请。」秦相说：「我看在济公的面上，再给你几天限，你赶紧把济公给我请来。」赵太守唯唯听令，回衙派柴元禄、杜振英带上盘费直奔昆山，去请济公。
That day the prefect went once more to plead with Chancellor Qin. “I originally gave you three days to catch him,” said Chancellor Qin. “It was only because all those officials came begging that I showed them consideration. It has been more than two months now, and you still have not caught the thief. Your policing has truly gone slack. Tomorrow I shall certainly impeach you.” “Your Excellency, show me special grace,” said the prefect. “Your subordinates have sent to invite Ji Gong of Lingyin Temple. Once he comes, catching these thieves will be as easy as turning over a hand — it won’t take the breath you’d need to blow away ash.” “The one you mean is Crazy Ji, my substitute monk?” said Chancellor Qin. “I was just thinking of him. Where is he now?” “Ji Gong is at my cousin’s house,” said Zhao Fengshan, “treating my aunt’s eyes. I have already sent men to fetch him.” “For Ji Gong’s sake I’ll give you a few more days,” said Chancellor Qin. “Bring Ji Gong to me quickly.” Prefect Zhao murmured his obedience. Back at his yamen he sent Chai Yuanlu and Du Zhenying with travelling money straight to Kunshan to invite Ji Gong.
這天，二人到了昆山趙鳳鳴的門首，叫家人通稟進去，濟公正在書房，同趙鳳鳴談話。家人進來一回稟：「現有臨安太守衙門的班頭，柴元祿、杜振英二人求見。」濟公說：「叫他們進來。」家人帶領兩位班頭來到書房。柴元祿、杜振英先給濟公行禮，然後給二員外行禮，行完了禮，站在一旁，就把臨安之事，從頭至尾一說。濟公聽罷，說：「這件事我和尚得管。」當時就在二員外跟前告辭。趙鳳鳴說：「師父可以明天再走，何以這樣忙呢？」和尚說：「我有事不能久待。」趙鳳鳴立刻吩咐擺酒，給濟公送行。賞了兩位班頭的路費，濟公這纔跟著二位班頭，告辭出來。
这天，二人到了昆山赵凤鸣的门首，叫家人通禀进去，济公正在书房，同赵凤鸣谈话。家人进来一回禀：「现有临安太守衙门的班头，柴元禄、杜振英二人求见。」济公说：「叫他们进来。」家人带领两位班头来到书房。柴元禄、杜振英先给济公行礼，然后给二员外行礼，行完了礼，站在一旁，就把临安之事，从头至尾一说。济公听罢，说：「这件事我和尚得管。」当时就在二员外跟前告辞。赵凤鸣说：「师父可以明天再走，何以这样忙呢？」和尚说：「我有事不能久待。」赵凤鸣立刻吩咐摆酒，给济公送行。赏了两位班头的路费，济公这才跟着二位班头，告辞出来。
That day the two of them reached the gate of Zhao Fengming’s house in Kunshan and had a servant announce them. Ji Gong was in the study, talking with Zhao Fengming. The servant came in and reported, “Two head constables from the Lin’an prefect’s yamen, Chai Yuanlu and Du Zhenying, are asking to see you.” “Have them come in,” said Ji Gong. The servant led the two head constables to the study. Chai Yuanlu and Du Zhenying saluted Ji Gong first and then the Second Squire. When they had finished their greetings they stood to one side and told the whole affair in Lin’an from beginning to end. When Ji Gong had heard it he said, “This monk has to take a hand in this.” Then and there he took his leave of the Second Squire. “Master, you could leave tomorrow,” said Zhao Fengming. “Why such a hurry?” “I have business,” said the monk. “I can’t stay any longer.” Zhao Fengming at once ordered wine set out for a farewell feast for Ji Gong, and gave the two head constables money for the road. Only then did Ji Gong take his leave and go out with the two head constables.
離了昆山，順著陽關大路，在道路上飢餐渴飲，曉行夜宿。這日走在道路上，相離臨安祇有三十里路，濟公說：「柴頭、杜頭你們二位願意拿住盜玉鐲、鳳冠之賊，還是不願意？」柴頭說：「那怎麼不願意？」濟公說：「你們兩個人要拿盜鳳冠玉鐲的賊，趕緊走到錢塘關的外門洞裏頭，裏門洞外頭站著一個穿青衣的人，你兩個人過去就揪，把他拿住就是賊人，到衙門領府縣一千二百兩銀子賞格。」兩個人說：「我二人就此前往。」心中甚為喜悅，以為是一趟美差，緊緊往前走。
离了昆山，顺着阳关大路，在道路上饥餐渴饮，晓行夜宿。这日走在道路上，相离临安祇有三十里路，济公说：「柴头、杜头你们二位愿意拿住盗玉镯、凤冠之贼，还是不愿意？」柴头说：「那怎么不愿意？」济公说：「你们两个人要拿盗凤冠玉镯的贼，赶紧走到钱塘关的外门洞里头，里门洞外头站着一个穿青衣的人，你两个人过去就揪，把他拿住就是贼人，到衙门领府县一千二百两银子赏格。」两个人说：「我二人就此前往。」心中甚为喜悦，以为是一趟美差，紧紧往前走。
They left Kunshan and took the open highway, eating when hungry and drinking when thirsty, travelling by day and resting at night. One day on the road, when they were only thirty li from Lin’an, Ji Gong said, “Head Constable Chai, Head Constable Du — do you two want to catch the thief who stole the jade bracelets and the phoenix crown, or don’t you?” “How could we not want to?” said Chai Yuanlu. “If you two want to catch the thief who stole the phoenix crown and the jade bracelets,” said Ji Gong, “hurry on to the Qiantang Gate and go in through the outer archway. Just outside the inner archway a man in black will be standing. You two go over and grab him. Once you’ve got hold of him, he’s your thief, and you can go to the yamen and collect the twelve hundred taels the prefecture and the counties have put up.” “We’ll go right away,” the two said. They were delighted, thinking this a plum assignment, and pressed on ahead.
趕到錢塘關門洞一看，果然有一個穿青衣的人，在那裏站著，兩眼發直，直往東瞧。杜振英一看，喜出望外，說：「柴大哥，你我活該成功！把差事得著，到衙門領了賞，我們三人均分。」說著話，來至切近，掏出鎖鏈「嘩啦」一抖，把那人鎖上。杜振英說：「朋友，這場官司你打了罷！你做的事你還不知道麼？」那人大吃一驚，回頭說：「二位為甚麼鎖我？誰把我告下來了？」杜振英、柴元祿二人一看，認識這人是錢塘門裏炭廠子掌櫃的。柴頭、杜頭一愣，那人說：「二位公差，為甚麼鎖我？」柴杜二位話還沒出來，這時和尚趕到，和尚說：「二位拿住了麼？」柴頭說：「你說叫我們拿穿青衣的，就是此人。」那人說：「和尚為甚麼拿我？」濟公說：「我買你的炭，你不給好炭，淨給煙炭。」柴頭一聽，這話不對，說：「師父，這人不是盜玉鐲的賊。」和尚說：「不是，我跟他鬧著玩呢。」柴頭趕緊把鐵鏈撤下來說：「師父，這可不是鬧著玩的，無故鎖人家。幸虧他是老實人，要不然，人家不答應。」和尚說：「我倒不是撒謊，你們二位太走快了，賊還沒來，你們先來了，跟我走罷。」那人也不敢說甚麼。
赶到钱塘关门洞一看，果然有一个穿青衣的人，在那里站着，两眼发直，直往东瞧。杜振英一看，喜出望外，说：「柴大哥，你我活该成功！把差事得着，到衙门领了赏，我们三人均分。」说着话，来至切近，掏出锁链「哗啦」一抖，把那人锁上。杜振英说：「朋友，这场官司你打了罢！你做的事你还不知道么？」那人大吃一惊，回头说：「二位为甚么锁我？谁把我告下来了？」杜振英、柴元禄二人一看，认识这人是钱塘门里炭厂子掌柜的。柴头、杜头一愣，那人说：「二位公差，为甚么锁我？」柴杜二位话还没出来，这时和尚赶到，和尚说：「二位拿住了么？」柴头说：「你说叫我们拿穿青衣的，就是此人。」那人说：「和尚为甚么拿我？」济公说：「我买你的炭，你不给好炭，净给烟炭。」柴头一听，这话不对，说：「师父，这人不是盗玉镯的贼。」和尚说：「不是，我跟他闹着玩呢。」柴头赶紧把铁链撤下来说：「师父，这可不是闹着玩的，无故锁人家。幸亏他是老实人，要不然，人家不答应。」和尚说：「我倒不是撒谎，你们二位太走快了，贼还没来，你们先来了，跟我走罢。」那人也不敢说甚么。
When they reached the archway of the Qiantang Gate and looked, sure enough there was a man in black standing there, his eyes fixed, staring straight to the east. Du Zhenying was overjoyed. “Brother Chai, it’s our lucky day! Once we’ve got our man, we’ll collect the reward at the yamen and the three of us will split it evenly.” Talking as they went, they came right up close. He pulled out his chain, shook it out with a clatter and locked it on the man. “Friend,” said Du Zhenying, “you’ll have to answer for this one! Don’t you know what you’ve done?” The man got a terrible fright. He turned his head. “Why are you two chaining me? Who’s lodged a complaint against me?” Du Zhenying and Chai Yuanlu looked and recognized him: he was the proprietor of a charcoal yard inside the Qiantang Gate. Chai and Du were taken aback. “Officers,” the man said, “why are you chaining me?” Before Chai and Du could get a word out, the monk came hurrying up. “Got him, you two?” “You told us to catch the man in black,” said Chai Yuanlu. “This is him.” “Monk, why are you having me arrested?” said the man. “I bought charcoal from you,” said Ji Gong, “and you wouldn’t give me good charcoal — nothing but the smoky stuff.” Chai Yuanlu heard this and knew something was wrong. “Master, this man isn’t the one who stole the jade bracelets.” “No,” said the monk. “I was just having a bit of fun with him.” Chai Yuanlu hurriedly took the chain off. “Master,” he said, “this is no joking matter, chaining a man for no reason. Lucky for us he’s an easygoing, honest sort. Anyone else wouldn’t let it go at that.” “I wasn’t lying, mind you,” said the monk. “You two walked too fast. The thief hasn’t come yet, and you got here first. Come along with me.” The man didn’t dare say anything either.
和尚帶領柴、杜二班頭進了城，往家走了不遠，和尚說：「柴頭你瞧差事來了。」用手一指，柴頭是久慣辦案的人，抬頭一看，見對面來了一人，兩隻眼東瞧西望，手中拿著包裹。柴頭看此人有些形跡可疑，二人迎上去說：「朋友，你別走了，你的事犯了。」那人一聽，拔頭就往南衚衕跑，柴、杜二位隨後就追。這個人腳底下甚快，二人追進這條衚衕，一直往南，和尚也後面跟著追。那人跑出南口往東一拐，就往北進了二條衚衕，柴頭杜頭緊追賊人跑出北口。應該往東，他又往西跑，賊人豈非智哉？復反進了頭條衚衕。焉想到和尚在那裏等著，用手一指說：「好賊，哪跑？」把賊人用定身法定住。和尚就嚷：「拿住了！捉拿賊！」本地面官人過來說：「和尚，他是賊，把他交給我們罷！」和尚說：「交給你，你放心我不放心。」正說著，柴元祿、杜振英趕到說：「師父你老人家放開，我把他鎖上。」本地面官人一看認識，說：「柴頭，你把他交給我罷。」柴頭一看，是本地面官人，可不知姓甚麼。柴頭說：「你姓甚麼？」那人說：「我姓槐，我們夥計姓艾，我叫槐條，他叫艾葉。」柴頭說：「你們兩個人幫著送到秦相府罷，到了相府，把賊交給相爺，聽候發落。」二人答應，同著濟公押著賊人，來到相府門首。
和尚带领柴、杜二班头进了城，往家走了不远，和尚说：「柴头你瞧差事来了。」用手一指，柴头是久惯办案的人，抬头一看，见对面来了一人，两只眼东瞧西望，手中拿着包裹。柴头看此人有些形迹可疑，二人迎上去说：「朋友，你别走了，你的事犯了。」那人一听，拔头就往南胡同跑，柴、杜二位随后就追。这个人脚底下甚快，二人追进这条胡同，一直往南，和尚也后面跟着追。那人跑出南口往东一拐，就往北进了二条胡同，柴头杜头紧追贼人跑出北口。应该往东，他又往西跑，贼人岂非智哉？复反进了头条胡同。焉想到和尚在那里等着，用手一指说：「好贼，哪跑？」把贼人用定身法定住。和尚就嚷：「拿住了！捉拿贼！」本地面官人过来说：「和尚，他是贼，把他交给我们罢！」和尚说：「交给你，你放心我不放心。」正说着，柴元禄、杜振英赶到说：「师父你老人家放开，我把他锁上。」本地面官人一看认识，说：「柴头，你把他交给我罢。」柴头一看，是本地面官人，可不知姓甚么。柴头说：「你姓甚么？」那人说：「我姓槐，我们伙计姓艾，我叫槐条，他叫艾叶。」柴头说：「你们两个人帮着送到秦相府罢，到了相府，把贼交给相爷，听候发落。」二人答应，同着济公押着贼人，来到相府门首。
The monk led the two head constables, Chai and Du, into the city. They had not gone far on the way home when the monk said, “Head Constable Chai, look, here comes your job.” He pointed. Chai Yuanlu was an old hand at catching criminals. He looked up and saw a man coming toward them, his two eyes darting this way and that, a bundle in his hand. To Chai Yuanlu the man looked suspicious, and the two of them stepped up to meet him. “Friend, you’re not going anywhere. Your game’s up.” At that the man turned and bolted into South Lane, and Chai and Du went after him. The man was very quick on his feet. The two chased him into the lane and straight south, and the monk ran after them. The man ran out of the south end, swung east, then turned north into Second Lane, and Chai and Du chased the thief hard out of its north end. He ought to have gone east, but he ran west instead — clever thief, wasn’t he? — and doubled back into First Lane. Little did he think that the monk would be waiting there. The monk pointed at him. “Ha, thief! Where do you think you’re running?” And he fixed the thief to the spot with a binding spell. Then the monk began to shout, “Got him! Catch the thief!” Local ward officers came over. “Monk, he’s a thief. Hand him over to us!” “Hand him to you?” said the monk. “You may be easy about that, but I’m not.” Just then Chai Yuanlu and Du Zhenying came running up. “Master, let him go, and I’ll chain him.” One of the local officers knew him by sight. “Head Constable Chai, hand him over to me.” Chai Yuanlu saw that it was the local officer, but didn’t know his name. “What’s your name?” he asked. “My surname’s Huai,” the man said, “and my mate’s is Ai. I’m Huai Tiao, he’s Ai Ye.” “The two of you help us take him to Chancellor Qin’s mansion,” said Chai Yuanlu. “When we get there we’ll hand the thief over to His Excellency and await his orders.” The two agreed, and together with Ji Gong they marched the thief to the gate of Chancellor Qin’s mansion.
相府當差人等，都認得濟公，眾人趕過行禮，到裏面回稟相爺。相爺正在客廳，同錢塘、仁和二位知縣、知府趙鳳山辦理公事。家人進來說：「回稟相爺，現在有靈隱寺濟公，同著太守衙門兩個班頭，押著一個賊人，現在府門外來見。」相爺吩咐有請濟公，家人來到外面說：「我們相爺說了，衣冠不整，在客廳恭候，有請聖僧！」羅漢爺往裏直奔，相爺降階相迎，趙太守打恭，謝過濟公給嬸母把眼治好。來到裏面落座，錢塘知縣、仁和知縣二人不認得濟公是誰，一看是個窮和尚，「怎麼相爺、太守這樣恭敬他？」心說：「這窮和尚有甚麼能為？」見濟公與相爺分賓主落座，先談了幾句閑話，敘了離別。秦相說：「師父，我聽說你老人家走在道路上，把賊拿來？」濟公說：「可不是，我聽說相府失盜，案情緊急，我稍帶著把賊拿來。」秦相一聽，心中甚為喜悅，吩咐家人：「把賊給我帶上來。」下面答應，到了外面說：「相爺吩咐把賊人帶進去審問。」柴元祿、杜振英二人，先把賊人包袱搜出來，還有單刀一把，留在外面，把賊人帶進去，跪在廳房之外。秦相立刻問道：「下邊跪的是何人？通上名來！你把我玉鐲、鳳冠偷去，賣在哪裏？從實說來！」
相府当差人等，都认得济公，众人赶过行礼，到里面回禀相爷。相爷正在客厅，同钱塘、仁和二位知县、知府赵凤山办理公事。家人进来说：「回禀相爷，现在有灵隐寺济公，同着太守衙门两个班头，押着一个贼人，现在府门外来见。」相爷吩咐有请济公，家人来到外面说：「我们相爷说了，衣冠不整，在客厅恭候，有请圣僧！」罗汉爷往里直奔，相爷降阶相迎，赵太守打恭，谢过济公给婶母把眼治好。来到里面落座，钱塘知县、仁和知县二人不认得济公是谁，一看是个穷和尚，「怎么相爷、太守这样恭敬他？」心说：「这穷和尚有甚么能为？」见济公与相爷分宾主落座，先谈了几句闲话，叙了离别。秦相说：「师父，我听说你老人家走在道路上，把贼拿来？」济公说：「可不是，我听说相府失盗，案情紧急，我稍带着把贼拿来。」秦相一听，心中甚为喜悦，吩咐家人：「把贼给我带上来。」下面答应，到了外面说：「相爷吩咐把贼人带进去审问。」柴元禄、杜振英二人，先把贼人包袱搜出来，还有单刀一把，留在外面，把贼人带进去，跪在厅房之外。秦相立刻问道：「下边跪的是何人？通上名来！你把我玉镯、凤冠偷去，卖在哪里？从实说来！」
Everyone serving at the mansion knew Ji Gong. They hurried over to pay their respects and went in to report to His Excellency. His Excellency was in the reception hall, handling official business with the two magistrates of Qiantang and Renhe and with Prefect Zhao Fengshan. A servant came in. “Reporting to Your Excellency: Ji Gong of Lingyin Temple is outside the gate with two head constables from the prefect’s yamen. They have a thief in custody and have come to see you.” His Excellency ordered that Ji Gong be invited in. The servant went out and said, “His Excellency begs pardon for not being properly dressed, and awaits you in the reception hall. Please come in, holy monk!” Lord Arhat went straight in. His Excellency came down the steps to meet him, and Prefect Zhao bowed with joined hands and thanked Ji Gong for curing his aunt’s eyes. They went inside and took their seats. The magistrates of Qiantang and Renhe didn’t know who Ji Gong was. All they saw was a ragged monk. “Why are His Excellency and the prefect showing him such respect?” they wondered. “What can this ragged monk do?” Ji Gong and His Excellency sat down as guest and host, exchanged a few pleasantries and talked over how they had fared since they parted. “Master,” said Chancellor Qin, “I hear you caught the thief on your way here and brought him with you?” “That’s right,” said Ji Gong. “I heard your mansion had been robbed and the case was urgent, so I brought the thief along while I was at it.” Chancellor Qin was delighted to hear this. He told his servants, “Bring the thief in to me.” The men below answered, went outside and said, “His Excellency orders the thief brought in for questioning.” Chai Yuanlu and Du Zhenying first searched the thief, took out his bundle and a saber as well, and left them outside. Then they brought the thief in and made him kneel outside the hall. Chancellor Qin asked at once, “Who is that kneeling down there? State your name! You stole my jade bracelets and phoenix crown — where did you sell them? Tell the truth!”
不知賊人如何招來，且看下回分解。
不知贼人如何招来，且看下回分解。
How did the thief answer? To learn what happened next, read the next chapter.