Alexander Patoff had been too much surprised and overcome by
his emotions to speak connectedly or to ask us any questions. When once
we were in the carriage and on our way to Pera, however, he recovered
his senses.

"Will you kindly tell me how all this has happened? Are you a Turkish
officer?"

"No," I answered. "This is a disguise. Let me present you to the man who
has really liberated you,--Balsamides Bey."

Patoff took the hand Gregorios stretched out towards him in both of his,
and would have kissed it had Gregorios allowed him.

"God bless you! God bless you!" he repeated fervently. He was evidently
still very much shaken, and in order to give him a little strength I
handed him a flask of spirits which I had left in the carriage. He drank
eagerly, and grasped even more greedily the case of cigarettes which I
offered him.

"Ah!" he cried, in a sort of ecstasy, as he tasted the tobacco. "I feel
that I am free."

I began to tell him in a few words what had happened: how we had
stumbled upon his watch in the bazaar, had identified Selim, and traced
the Lala to Laleli Khanum's house; how the Khanum had died while
Balsamides was there, just as she was about to tell the truth; how we
had dragged Selim into the forest, and had threatened him with death;
and how at last, feeling that since his mistress was dead he was no
longer in danger, the fellow had conducted us to Alexander's cell in the
garden. I told him that his brother and mother were in Pera, and that he
should see them in the morning. I said that Madame Patoff had been very
ill in consequence of his disappearance, and that every one had mourned
for him as dead. In short, I endeavored to explain the whole situation
as clearly as I could. While I was telling our story Balsamides never
spoke a word, but sat smoking in his corner, probably thinking of the
single kick in which he had tried to concentrate all his vengeance.

As we drove along, the dawn began to appear,--the cold dawn of a March
morning. I asked Balsamides whether it would be necessary to change my
clothes before entering the city.

"No," he answered; "we shall be at home at sunrise. The fellow drives
well."

"I shall have to ask you to take me in for a few hours," said Alexander.
"I am in a pitiable state."

"You must have suffered horribly in that den," observed Balsamides. "Of
course you must come home with me. We will send for your brother at
once, and when you are rested you can tell