e ground for expectation of
discoveries in time to come. There is much in the wind, methinks."

"True, true," rejoined Omar, with an approving nod; "and what sayest
thou as to the atmosphere of the palace?"

The jester, who had strong suspicions as to the good-faith of Omar, yet
was not sufficiently in the confidence of the Dey to know exactly how
matters stood, replied with caution--

"It is serene, as usual; not disturbed by untoward elements, as the air
of a palace ought to be."

"That is well, Hadji Baba," returned Omar, in a confidential tone;
"nevertheless thou knowest that the atmosphere in palaces is not always
serene.--By the way, hast seen Sidi Hamet of late?"

"Not I," replied the other carelessly.

"He is no friend of thine, it would seem," said Omar.

"No," answered the jester shortly.

"Nor of mine," added Omar.

Each eyed the other narrowly as this was said.

"Wouldst do him a service if you could?" asked Omar.

"No," said Baba.

"Nor I," returned Omar.

"I owe service to no one save the Dey," rejoined Baba. "If it were
possible, I would for his sake put a bow-string round the neck of a
certain Aga--"

"Ha!" interrupted Omar; "hast thou then seen aught to justify such
strong measures? Come, Hadji Baba, thou knowest me to be thy master's
true friend. Tell me all. It shall be well for thee. It _might_ be
ill for thee, if thou didst decline; but fear not. I am thy friend, and
the friend of Achmet. It behoves friends to aid each other in straits."

The jester felt that he had committed himself, but at the same time
conceived that he was justified in trusting one who had always been the
intimate friend and adviser of his master. He therefore revealed all
that he knew of the plot which was hatching, and of which he knew a
great deal more than the Minister of Marine had expected, in consequence
of his having been kept well informed by a negro girl, called Zooloo,
whose capacity for eavesdropping was almost equal to a certain "bird of
the air" which has been in all ages accredited with the powers of an
electric telegraph.

In consequence of the information thus received, Sidi Omar made instant
and formidable preparations to thwart the schemes of his adversary, in
doing which, of course, he found it advantageous to uphold the Dey.

Achmet also made energetic preparations to defend himself, and was quite
cool and collected when, about the usual breakfast hour, he received the
British