conversation had been overheard by Aphiz, they neither feared his
betraying him, nor suspected the deep interest that the young
Circassian felt in the theme of their remarks.

"You were speaking of a slave of the Sultan's harem, named Komel,"
he said, approaching them.

"We were; and perhaps have spoken too plainly of a purpose for her
release from bondage," said the Armenian.

"Why too freely?"

"Because in a degree we have placed ourselves in your power, having
spoken treason."

"I care not whether it be treason or not," replied Aphiz; "it was
such as answered to the feelings of my own heart in every word.
Betray you! I will die to achieve the object you name."

"This is singular," said Selim, surprised at his earnestness.

"It would not seem so had I dared to tell you my story at first."

"Then you know the girl?" asked the physician and Selim, in a
breath.

"Know her? I have been her playmate from childhood. We have loved
and cherished each other until our very souls seemed blended into
one."

"Then how came she separated from you, and now in the Sultan's
harem?" asked the Armenian.

"Ay," continued Selim, "how was it that I saw her offered for sale
in the public bazaar?"

"Have patience with me and I will tell you all, of both her history
and my own."

Aphiz then related to them the story that is already familiar to the
reader, and seeing that those with whom he had to deal were in no
way particularly partial to the Sultan, he told word for word the
whole truth, even from the hour when he had saved him from the
Bedouins, to that when he had been cast into the sea.

All this but the more incited both Selim and the Armenian to strive
for Komel's release, and sitting there together, the trio strove how
best they could manage the affair. The Armenian's possessing the
entree to the palace was a matter of intense importance to the
furtherance of the object, and whatever plan should be adopted it
was agreed that he should seek the harem and communicate it to
Komel, thus obtaining her aid in its execution.

"Doubtless she thinks me dead," said Aphiz; "for the Sultan would
take care to tell her that."

"That's true, and so let her think, and we will manage an agreeable
surprise for her."

"As you will; but let us to this business this very night," said the
impatient Aphiz.

"That we will, and right heartily," said Selim, who hastened to his
young wife to tell her that she was to have a dear, beaut