scertaining the house where it was to be found, so that she might also
take Aurora thither, and thus Argentine would not be alone if by any
chance she was wound up at the mystic hour. For some weeks now we have
lived by this means, and the two daughters of Siroco have never failed
to return to Sumi each night. Yesterday Izouf sold the silver watch to
this young man, and in the evening placed the gold watch on the steps by
order of Sumi, just before his customer entered the house; from which
both watches came back early this morning.'

'If I had only known!' cried Neangir. 'If I had had more presence of
mind, I should have seen the lovely Argentine, and if her portrait is so
fair, what must the original be!'

'It was not your fault,' replied the Cadi, 'you are no magician; and who
could guess that the watch must be wound at such an hour? But I shall
give orders that the merchant is to hand it over to you, and this
evening you will certainly not forget.'

'It is impossible to let you have it to-day,' answered Izouf, 'for it is
already sold.'

'If that is so,' said the Cadi, 'you must return the three gold pieces
which the young man paid.'

The Jew, delighted to get off so easily, put his hand in his pocket,
when Neangir stopped him.

'No, no,' he exclaimed, 'it is not money I want, but the adorable
Argentine; without her everything is valueless.'

'My dear Cadi,' said the Bassa, 'he is right. The treasure that my son
has lost is absolutely priceless.'

'My lord,' replied the Cadi, 'your wisdom is greater than mine. Give
judgment I pray you in the matter.'

So the Bassa desired them all to accompany him to his house, and
commanded his slaves not to lose sight of the three Jewish brothers.

When they arrived at the door of his dwelling, he noticed two women
sitting on a bench close by, thickly veiled and beautifully dressed.
Their wide satin trousers were embroidered in silver, and their muslin
robes were of the finest texture. In the hand of one was a bag of pink
silk tied with green ribbons, containing something that seemed to move.

At the approach of the Bassa both ladies rose, and came towards him.
Then the one who held the bag addressed him saying, 'Noble lord, buy, I
pray you, this bag, without asking to see what it contains.'

'How much do you want for it?' asked the Bassa.

'Three hundred sequins,' replied the unknown.

At these words the Bassa laughed contemptuously, and passed on without
speaking