ose----"

"In short you've done it," said he, "and it's all over, so don't let us
say anything more about it! And once more, forgive me.--Now that I know
all about it, nothing more need be said. Turks never discuss harem
matters. Only," he added, "in order to avoid the necessity of returning
to the subject, let me now recommend you to keep Mohammed; you
understand? He knows the run of the ropes. And in order to make
everything safe, as it would not do for me to be seen about there any
more, tell him to come and see me."

"Do you wish me to send for him at once?"

"No, no, to-morrow will do. We have plenty of time.--Come, give me a
little music, will you? Play me something from Verdi--"

And he began to hum in his bass voice, slightly out of tune, snatches
from the air:

"Parigi o cara, noi lasceremo."

We passed a charming evening together, what with conversation, music,
and cards. He won three francs of me at piquet, with a ridiculous
display of triumph. About twelve o'clock I took him to his bedroom. When
he was ready to get into bed, he exclaimed:

"_Te!_ I have some securities here which I had forgotten!" And taking a
penknife, he proceeded to cut the stitches of his coat lining, from
which he drew out some papers.

"See!" he said, as he held them out to me, "here are seven hundred
thousand francs' worth of bills on London and Paris. You shall get them
cashed."

"Very well, uncle," I replied. "And what do you want me to do with the
money?"

"Oh, upon my word, that's your affair, my _pichoun_! You may be sure,
now that you have come into your inheritance, I am not going to be
troubled with such matters!"

"Well, at least advise me about them."

"But, my good fellow, that means that I am still to have all the bother
about them--. After all," he continued, "keep the money if you like--it
will do for my pocket money."

Thereupon he went to bed, I wished him good night, and was about to
leave the room, when he called me back.

"Come here, Andre! Write, if you please, to the notary and ask him to
come here to-morrow."

"Ah!" I replied, "you're coming round to that at last!"

"I am coming round to nothing whatever!" he exclaimed, in a most decided
tone. "Only I want to know what has become of my camels! As you may
guess, I intended to present them to the Zoological Society. I must have
them found! Good night!"

I should certainly annoy you, my dear Louis, if I were to endeavour to
impress upon