nostrils working. The kind-hearted young man picked out a lump of
meat, went to the door, and threw it outside to him. The dog pounced
upon it, and gulped it down greedily, and was just turning to go, when
it staggered, fell, rolled over, and died. Nur Mahomed, who had been
lazily watching him, stood still for a moment, then he came back
whistling softly. He gathered up the rest of his dinner and carefully
wrapped it up to carry away and bury somewhere; and then he sent back
the empty plates.

How furious the king was when, at the next morning's durbar, Nur
Mahomed appeared before him fresh, alert, and smiling as usual. He was
determined, however, to try once more, and bidding the young man come
into his presence that evening, gave orders that he was to carry a
secret despatch to the governor of a distant province. 'Make your
preparations at once,' added he, 'and be ready to start in the
morning. I myself will deliver you the papers at the last moment.'

Now this province was four or five days' journey from the palace, and
the governor of it was the most faithful servant the king had. He
could be silent as the grave, and prided himself on his obedience.
Whilst he was an old and tried servant of the king's, his wife had
been almost a mother to the young princess ever since the queen had
died some years before. It happened that, a little before this time,
the princess had been sent away for her health to another remote
province; and whilst she was there her old friend, the governor's
wife, had begged her to come and stay with them as soon as she could.

The princess accepted gladly, and was actually staying in the
governor's house at the very time when the king made up his mind to
send Nur Mahomed there with the mysterious despatch.

According to orders Nur Mahomed presented himself early the next
morning at the king's private apartments. His best horse was saddled,
food placed in his saddle-bag, and with some money tied up in his
waistband, he was ready to start. The king handed over to him a sealed
packet, desiring him to give it himself only into the hands of the
governor, and to no one else. Nur Mahomed hid it carefully in his
turban, swung himself into the saddle, and five minutes later rode out
of the city gates, and set out on his long journey.

The weather was very hot; but Nur Mahomed thought that the sooner his
precious letter was delivered the better; so that, by dint of riding
most of each night and resti