"

'"Perhaps you are right," continued Izouf, "for the two ladies took our
hands and danced with us till we were quite exhausted, and when at last
we sat down a second time to table we drank more wine than was good for
us. Indeed, our heads grew so confused, that when the men jumped up
and threatened to kill us, we could make no resistance and suffered
ourselves to be robbed of everything we had about us, including the
most precious possession of all, the two talismans of the daughters of
Siroco."

'Not knowing what else to do, we all three returned to Constantinople
to ask the advice of Sumi, and found that she was already aware of
our misfortunes, having read about them in the book of Moizes. The
kind-hearted creature wept bitterly at our story, but, being poor
herself, could give us little help. At last I proposed that every
morning we should sell the silver watch into which Argentine was
changed, as it would return to Sumi every evening unless it was wound
up with the silver key--which was not at all likely. Sumi consented,
but only on the condition that we would never sell the watch without
ascertaining the house where it was to be found, so that she might also
take Aurora thither, and thus Argentine would not be alone if by any
chance she was wound up at the mystic hour. For some weeks now we have
lived by this means, and the two daughters of Siroco have never failed
to return to Sumi each night. Yesterday Izouf sold the silver watch to
this young man, and in the evening placed the gold watch on the steps
by order of Sumi, just before his customer entered the house; from which
both watches came back early this morning.'

'If I had only known!' cried Neangir. 'If I had had more presence of
mind, I should have seen the lovely Argentine, and if her portrait is so
fair, what must the original be!'

'It was not your fault,' replied the Cadi, 'you are no magician; and who
could guess that the watch must be wound at such an hour? But I shall
give orders that the merchant is to hand it over to you, and this
evening you will certainly not forget.'

'It is impossible to let you have it to-day,' answered Izouf, 'for it is
already sold.'

'If that is so,' said the Cadi, 'you must return the three gold pieces
which the young man paid.'

The Jew, delighted to get off so easily, put his hand in his pocket,
when Neangir stopped him.

'No, no,' he exclaimed, 'it is not money I want, but the adorable
Argentine; without h