st me?" asked the dragoman eagerly.

Iskender shook his head.

"The praise to Allah! Take heart, O my soul! If I am still in favour,
I can plead for thee."

"Thou in his favour! Thou art nought to him!" replied Iskender with a
sudden burst of spite.

Elias was about to answer angrily when the subject of their speech
appeared. Both sprang to their feet expectantly. But the Emir, with a
blunt "Good-morning," passed them by and mounted the horse which stood
in waiting before the door. They watched him ride away, then turned
and gazed into each other's eyes. Both agreed that there was nothing
for it but to sit down again and await further revelations of the will
of Allah.

When the Emir returned, after less than an hour's absence, his temper
had improved, for he laughed at a joke of Elias, and suffered them both
to accompany him to his room. Elias pushed home his advantage, telling
a succession of funny stories in exaggerated broken English. The Emir
laughed heartily, and talked with him. Iskender, abashed by the
uncertainty of finding favour, dared not risk a word; and his loved one
never even looked at him.

"You come with me, sir, this afternoon. I show you sefral things you
neffer seen!" said Elias, when the bell had rung for lunch.

The Emir consented.

"You see, he hears me!" cried the dragoman with exultation, when he and
Iskender were once more alone together. "Confide in me, and I will
lead him back towards thee!"

The touch of patronage entombed Iskender. His Emir, to be led to him
by Elias! But "Weep not, O my soul!" the latter begged him. "Come
with us this afternoon and I will bring thee forward."

CHAPTER IX

The son of Yacub longed to be alone and weep his fill, but could not
leave Elias in possession. It was as a dumb and piteous plea against
the usurpation of Elias, and not from any hope of reinstatement, that
he attended the Emir that afternoon, when the dragoman led them among
the stinking alleys of the town, under archways and through private
houses, pointing out sites of interest which Iskender felt sure were of
his own invention; and he very soon wished that he had kept away. For
Elias, according to his promise, "brought him forward," begging the
Emir to have compassion on him, because he was a good boy and devoted
to his Honour's service. Iskender could only mutter, shamefaced, when
the Frank addressed him.

"Why did you deceive me? I thought you were well off,