an Dolero,
evidently not liking our passing a night alone under such suspicious
circumstances; but I was convinced there was no cause for fear, and I
think we both knew that the less we made of what had happened the better;
so, borrowing a lantern, I started back for Jinan Dolero, Tahara clinging
to my arm, S`lam lighting the way, and the old mother following.

Arrived at the city gate, it was shut. I had a strange wait alone with
Tahara and Maman, while S`lam fetched a soldier to unbar the gate. The
basha's leave had to be got, and the basha sent to the English
Vice-Consul to ask if it was his will that the gate should be opened for
a British subject. Eventually we got through, all except Maman, who said
good-night and went home.

It was a cheering sight to see at last a little light far away in the
valley where our house lay--the only light visible. R. had left the
curtains undrawn. In good time we reached the garden-house. I took Tahara
straight into the bedroom, S`lam going to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
The little bottle in its wrappings was immediately replaced in its niche,
and Tahara ate some food which we brought her. S`lam, as usual, waited on
us: he was oddly obsequious and deprecating in his manner, and I could
not quite understand it.

The night passed quietly. Early next morning Maman appeared, which
neither of us liked, but she had come ostensibly to ask after Tahara, who
had quite recovered. I walked into the city, and went to the Mission
House to see Miss Z----. The chicken was quite as well as Tahara, and the
liquid which at least one of them had taken was probably water. Even so,
the mystery was not cleared up. If it was water, why did S`lam keep it
wrapped up, and why did Tahara think it was poison? It was half empty. If
Tahara had ever seen it full, somebody must have drunk a dose. Of course
S`lam's old master had not left a bottle of prussic acid about, and then
not missed it. He probably emptied the bottle and then threw it away; it
might have had a drop or two left in it, and the bottle may have been
filled up with water; but that was pure conjecture.

The poisons Moors so easily get, and which S`lam or his mother could
supply themselves with, are generally in a powder form. I do not know how
they would mix with water: they are generally slow in working, sometimes
weeks in taking effect. There was no reason why Tahara should not be
poisoned by such a drug, and yet feel no ill effects for th