DEN RUIN AND UTTER DOWNFALL OF THE GREAT MOLEY PASHA.

The ladies' absence was a great relief to Mole. He devoutly hoped that
he had for ever got rid of the thirteen widows of his late lamented
predecessor.

About an hour afterwards, when Mole was striving to calm his irritated
feelings with a cup of coffee and hookah, Jack and Harry arrived, as
they said, from a walk round the neighbouring country, looking as
innocent as any of the lambs they may have met on the finely-grassed
hills.

This innocent look was remarkable, because, as the reader has probably
suspected, they had really been concerned in Mr. Mole's recent
adventure.

In short, Jack had been the Alme, and Harry the Hannifar, of the
domestic scene we have described, the Turkish dress and the ladies'
custom of keeping veiled, immensely assisting them in the imposture.

"Whatever has been the matter here?" asked Jack. "As we were coming
along, we heard a dreadful row outside, and saw a large body of troops
bolting off in a deuce of a hurry."

"Oh, my sons," replied the pasha, in a tone of paternal pathos, "sore
hath been the wretchedness and distress of your afflicted parent. I
wish you had been here, then it could not have happened. I'll tell you
all about it."

Jack and Harry Girdwood had sufficient self-command to listen with
unmoved countenances to Mr. Mole's account of the adventure, and even
to express great surprise and alarm at the harrowing details.

"Shall I write home to Mrs. Mole for you, sir?" said Jack.

"For the Lord's sake, no," cried Mole, in dismay.

Then they tried their best to frighten the old tutor, by suggesting
various deadly schemes of vengeance, which it was very possible the
ladies of his late highness's seraglio might form against Moley Pasha.

"You must never go out without a strong body guard," said Jack, "for at
any time they may have you seized and borne off to the harem."

"And you'll have to take care of yourself even at home," added Harry,
"especially with regard to the food you eat, for in Turkey, those who
owe a grudge think nothing of paying it out in poison."

"Gracious Heaven! don't talk in that way," cried Mole. "you quite make
my blood run cold. I think--I hope--I can trust my guards and my new
attendants."

"I hope so too," replied Jack, shaking his head in grave doubt. "But
you must always bear in mind that treachery is one of the commonest
vices of the East; you can't be too careful."

"Oh, Allah,