disturbed and angry countenance, was an
old man, richly dressed, and evidently the master of the house, whose
face, now distorted with passion, must at all times have worn a fierce
and malevolent expression. After thus standing and watching her for a
few minutes the old man, stooping down, took hold of her hand, as
though to ascertain that she were really dead; and when, as he released
it, the arm fell heavily again to the earth, he again stood
contemplating for some minutes the youthful and lovely figure at his
feet. Presently he clapped his hands, and some slaves appearing, he
gave them some brief directions, on receiving which they went again
into the house, returning shortly with a great empty sack or bag. In
this they placed gently and carefully enough the body of the young
lady, and lifting the sack, carried it between them towards a side gate
opening into a narrow lane that ran down by one side of the walled
enclosure which formed the garden of the mansion.

The Caliph saw the old man point with his finger to this side gate,
evidently bidding them carry forth their burden at that entrance.

It was at this moment that he had grasped the arm of the Grand Vizier,
and had whispered to him the order to proceed at once with Mesrur and
arrest the men he should find coming along the lane.

Giafer, as we have seen, after a brief hesitation went back to where
Mesrur was standing, and acquainting him rapidly with the Caliph's
order, they crossed the street and entered the lane as they had been
commanded.

They had not proceeded many steps down the lane before they met the
slaves bearing the great sack.

Giafer and Mesrur drawing their swords, demanded sternly what they had
there, and whither they were going.

The slaves, when they saw two men with drawn swords barring the way,
put down their burden quickly and would have fled, but Mesrur
exclaimed--

"Stop, for I will cut down the first man among you that dares stir hand
or foot."

Then one of the slaves answered and said, "Sirs, we are carrying this
package by order of our master, therefore please to let us pass."

But Giafer said, "Slaves, who is your master? And what have you in
this sack, and whither do you carry it? I command you, in the name of
the Prince of the Faithful, to answer these questions truly."

"Sir," said the slave who had spoken already, "our master is the Emir
Bargash ibn Beynin, who lives in this house at the side of which we are
sta