he disaster to my friends here,
and the terrible doom that was contemplated for them. Imagine my dismay,
too, when I discovered that their house was to be burned. My beautiful
harp! It would be destroyed! So we hurried back, sparing neither
ourselves nor our beasts.

"'When I saw the tongues of flame actually curling about the home of
Baji Lal, I became oblivious of aught else save the rescue of the
priceless harp from destruction. Through the blinding smoke I groped my
way to my old sleeping room. I nearly succumbed three or four times
before I managed to tear down the tent-cloth. Then, by the flicker of
the flames I could see the harp reposing in its hiding place in all its
gleaming beauty. I had no time to feel surprised that its silken
covering had been blown aside, and indeed was at that very moment
fluttering in a current of air.

"'Just as my hand reached forth to seize the precious instrument, I was
startled by a subdued plaintive cry. For an instant I paused and
wondered. Then I discovered that the wind was blowing through a crevice
in the wall just behind the harp, and that it was the breeze rushing
through the opening that was causing the strings to vibrate and give
forth their weird complaining.

"'And this, good people, is the explanation of the unrestful spirit.
When the wind blew strong, the cries were loud and insistent; when the
blast came gently, the sobbing was low and wailing.

"'I am distressed that so simple a thing could have caused such trouble.
But in reparation I will undertake to build for Baji Lal and his wife a
new home. I hereby give to their good friend, Chunda Das, an undertaking
to that effect'--he passed a paper to me as he spoke--'whereby I make
myself liable for all moneys expended. And to Devaka I give this chain,
which I hope she will always wear in remembrance of her good deed in
nursing Sheikh Ahmed back to health.'

"And, throwing a long gold chain around the neck of Devaka, the Sheikh
bowed to the company, and, with salaams of farewell, passed through the
throng, toward his escort waiting for him all ready mounted at a little
distance. Soon there was the clatter of hoofs, and they were riding away
across the plain. I had noticed that at Sheikh Ahmed's saddle-bow was a
bulky package, undoubtedly the precious harp in its wrappings.

"That was all there was to be said, and after a while the crowd began to
disperse. On every hand there was loud acclaim for the Sheikh and his