But my lord lives--Allah be praised! he will yet live many a long
day.'

"'I like not deceit, Syed Ali, but when deceit has been used, then must
deceit reply. Carry to Gholab Khan the ring and the exact words I have
spoken: "Mirza Shah is dead. You are to come with me to the person who
has sent this ring. Hasten." Gholab Khan will without delay respond to
this summons. And here will I await your return,' added my lord grimly,
'for your stars have told me beyond all peradventure that I can hold
this citadel until Gholab Khan arrives. Now go. Here is the key for the
postern in the wall.'

"I had already tied the ring into a fold of my inner garment, and,
taking only my staff, I set forth straightway.

"This is not a story about myself, but about Mirza Shah and his family,"
said the astrologer, with a glance around his circle of auditors, whose
fixed attention showed the keen interest with which they were awaiting
the unfolding of the destiny proclaimed by the stars. "So once again
will I pass over my adventures. The end of them all was that, ere the
passing of a full week, I was back in my little tower, and with me was
Gholab Khan. It was night, for we had evaded the besiegers' watchfulness
under cover of the darkness by taking the same mountain defile by which
I had travelled forth on my expedition, and gaining entrance to the
citadel by the private gateway the key of which had been entrusted to
me.

"I lighted the lamp in the tower, and then turned to Gholab Khan. He was
a petty chieftain of the mountains, a handsome man of middle age,
resolute-looking and daring. In a few words I bade him wait awhile. Then
I stole forth to apprize Mirza Shah that my mission was achieved.

"My lord had given orders to his attendants that he was to be
immediately aroused, so soon as I returned, whatever the hour of the
night might be. In a moment he strode forth from his sleeping chamber
all ready dressed. I started back with affright, for in his hand was a
naked sword.

"'Fear not, Syed Ali,' he said to me. 'Where is this Gholab Khan?'

"'In my tower,' I answered.

"'Good,' he replied. 'Come.' And at the word his bodyguard, all with
drawn blades, closed around their master.

"About fifty paces from the tower he halted his men, and we two advanced
alone.

"I entered the building first. Close behind me, up the winding stairway,
pressed Mirza Shah, and I had but crossed the threshold of the room when
he thrust me aside.

"'S