n find favour in those eyes which are as the sky at night?"

But for all answer Jill moved round the couch and sat herself down upon
the satin cushions, opened her hand-bag, and finding her cigarette case
lit a cigarette.

"By Allah! but you are wonderful, you English girl. I do not
understand you. I have had women here screaming, fighting, fainting,
begging for mercy upon their knees. Pah! they sickened me, but
you--well! I will go and order the coffee, not wishing to bring a
slave into your presence, and give orders also, Mademoiselle, that no
matter _what_ noise may be heard I must on no account be disturbed!
And death by knife, or whip, or water, is the _ordinary_ punishment for
those who disobey!"

Jill blew a smoke ring through another and smiled.

"It's no good ordering coffee because I shan't drink it!"

"You _will_ drink it," was the sharp reply.

"Will you take a bet?" was the ready answer.

For a moment the man who was becoming more and more amazed stared in
silence and then laughed softly as the absurdity of the situation
struck him.

"Certainly I will, for do not we orientals love a seeming hazard? So
although I take an unfair advantage of you I will lay this emerald ring
engraven with my name against one kiss from your red mouth that within
the half of one hour you will have drunk the coffee."

And taking the ring from his finger as he spoke he laid it upon a small
table beside Jill.

CHAPTER X

She was sitting with her hands crossed on her lap when he returned,
carrying a small tray bearing two cups filled with coffee.

"You have been a very long time," she remarked casually.

"An especially delicious coffee had to be prepared for Mademoiselle,
and strict orders given that we were not to be disturbed until I give
the signal. Also that this quarter of the house, which is mine, is to
be cleared absolutely of all inhabitants. Therefore shall we be at
peace even until this time to-morrow if I make no sign. Also to
emphasise my orders, I ordered that a certain person be bastinadoed.
She sickens me with her outpourings of love, and was loitering about
this door seeking doubtlessly to enter. When she does she will most
certainly not enter upon her feet if my orders have been strictly
carried out."

And even as he spoke a distant piercing scream, followed by another,
and yet another, rent the air, causing Jill's mouth to shut like a
steel trap, and her eyes to blaze like fires.