to the old man's theory, least of all a
eunuch--nobody, nobody. It should be certain as death, once you have
the right grip. With a gurgle my man had sunk to the ground a mere
shapeless mass, perhaps really dead; and with by breath coming hot
through my nostrils at this success I closed fiercely with the second,
seized him by the throat, wrenched at him like a madman, and carried
him staggering back. The other trick demands the six paces and the
impetus; I would have liked to have tried it again, but I had not
dared....

But it was finished with dramatic suddenness, for even as I ran the
second eunuch, gasping for breath, backwards, the other two rushed to
the door, opened it hurriedly, and then stepped aside with loud
implorings and supplications. I accepted. I let go my grasp and
quickly jumped out. I, too, had had enough. As I went through I caught
a last glimpse of that curious scene framed by the red gate-posts and
the roofs beyond--the senseless eunuch on the ground, the other
standing near by, coughing and reaching at his throat, the women of
the seraglio in their gaily flowered coats pressing curiously
round.... But I had enough. I did not tarry. Rapidly I walked away,
with a little prayer in my heart. I felt almost as I had felt once
when I was nearly drowning.

I found K----, five minutes later, sitting on the first marble
terrace, with his pockets bulging out and an expression of ox-like
satisfaction on his face. That was an antidote which speedily sobered
me. The officer was farther on, and had also looted by his looks. The
sergeant of the guard--well, I knew about him already. K---- smiled
when I appeared, and said that I had been very quick and that he did
not expect me so soon. I did not take the trouble to answer;
explanations are always apologies. If I had told him the truth, he
would never have believed me, and certainly never have understood.
And if I had lied there would have been the same result. So I merely
said I was ready, and that we had seen enough; and then, in silence,
each man thinking of what he had done, we covered the way back very
quickly and mounted our ponies. All the way home during that long ride
I was amused by watching the heavy posts of soldiery belonging to the
other columns, who were so jealously guarding their own entrances. How
angry they would have been if they had only known!... That was an
extraordinary day.

VII

THE FEW REMAINS

End of August, 1900.