adows
and did not see the merchants of Goblin Market. Leaving this alley Abdul
led her abruptly into a dense crowd of Arabs, who were all talking,
gesticulating, and moving hither and thither, apparently under the
influence of extreme excitement. Many of them held rings, bracelets, or
brooches between their fingers, and some extended palms upon which lay
quantities of uncut jewels--turquoises, sapphires, and emeralds. At a
little distance a grave man was noting down something in a book. But
the Princess scarcely observed the progress of the jewel auction. Her
attention had been attracted by an extraordinary figure that stood near
her. This was an immensely tall Arab, dressed in a dingy brown robe, and
wearing upon his shaven head, which narrowed almost to a point at the
back, a red fez with a large black tassel. His claw-like hands were
covered with rings and his bony wrists with bracelets. But the attention
of the Princess was riveted by his eyes. They were small and bright, and
squinted horribly--so horribly, that it was impossible to tell at what
he was looking. These eyes gave to his face an expression of diabolic
and ruthless vigilance and cunning. He seemed at the same time to be
seeing everything and to be gazing definitely at nothing.

"That is Safti, the jewel doctor," murmured Abdul in the ear of the
Princess.

"A jewel doctor! What is that?" asked the Princess.

"When you are sick he cures you with jewels."

"And what can he cure?" said the Princess, still looking at Safti,
who was now bargaining vociferously with a fat Arab for a piece of
milk-white jade.

"All things. I was sick of a fever that comes with the summer. He gave
me a stone crushed to a powder, and I was well. He saved from death one
of the Bey's sons, who was dying from hijada. And then, too, he has a
stone in a ring which can preserve sight to him who is going blind."

The Princess started violently.

"Impossible!" she cried.

"It is true," said Abdul. "It is a green stone--like that."

He pointed to an emerald which an Arab was holding up to the light.

The Princess put her hand to her eyes. They still ached, and her temples
were throbbing furiously.

"I cannot stay here," she said. "It is too hot. But---- tell the jewel
doctor that I wish to visit him. Where does he live?"

"In a little street, Rue Ben-Ziad, in a little house. But he is rich."
Abdul spread his arms abroad. "When will the gracious Princess----?"

"This afterno