of both the executioners,
notwithstanding the sallies and remonstrances of Hadji Baba, but before
reaching the palace they had gone through the not difficult process--to
a Turk--of setting the whole matter down to the decrees of Fate, and
washing their hands of all guilt.

That evening, as the hour for action drew nigh, Hadji Baba and his
colleagues began to grow rather uneasy--all the more so that the Dey was
in a particularly bad humour.

Being an ignorant and uneducated man, he had found the work of gathering
up the reins of government a very difficult task, notwithstanding the
boldness of his heart and the determination of his will. True, he had
simplified several knotty matters by bastinadoing and cutting off the
heads of all concerned, but this left a multitude of matters which could
not be disposed of in that summary fashion.

Among other things, he had been thwarted in his resolution to get
possession of Angela Diego, whom he intended to have made a slave of the
palace. Finding that she had taken refuge with the British consul at
his country house, he sent a peremptory order to have the girl returned
immediately, and, pending the result of that order, had locked Bacri up
in a dungeon, with threats of the bastinado, and even death, in the
event of any difficulty being thrown in the way.

After this he called for his coffee and pipe, his tame gazelle, chief
executioners, and story-teller, resolving to throw the cares of state
aside for the night and enjoy himself.

It was nearly eight o'clock when this order was given, to the
consternation of Hadji Baba and his confederates, who were thus deprived
of the power of rendering, in the guard-room, any assistance to the
insurrectionists. There was, however, no alternative,--obedience was
imperative.

"Sit down," said the Dey to the unfortunate jester, when he entered the
presence, limping with much apparent difficulty. "We will extend
clemency to thee, in the hope that thou wilt redeem thy character. I am
fond of marvellous stories. Thou mayest sit on that carpet. Now, look
behind thee."

Hadji Baba obeyed, and observed his two friends standing mute and
motionless, like statues, ready at a moment's notice to do their
master's bidding.

"Knowest thou these men?" asked the Dey.

"Your highness's slave knows them but too well," replied Baba, with a
well-feigned shudder, which changed into a real one on his observing
that a gorgeous time-piece opposite p