was only a boor
common man, he had traffeled a great deal, and I think he'd know gold
when he saw it."

"I must say I should like to go and see," exclaimed the Emir, now
warming to the subject.

"You'd better not, sir, till you make sure of brotection. The desert
beeble don't like strangers hangin' round. And the Guffernment would
stob you, if they got to know. I thought I'd tell you, sir, because
you're kindest friend I effer had. Then by-and-by you get some friends
to join you, and go with a strong barty; and then, when you've got much
gold, you think: Iskender made me a nice bresent. I hobe you think so.
I know I am only a boor common man, like dirt to you. But I luff you
truly, sir, and wish to gif you something."

"Don't talk such rubbish," said the Emir impatiently. "Of course we
should share alike, and go together, if at all. By Jove, it would be
fun!" and he began to shadow forth the expedition, Iskender helping him
with tempting details. To Iskender the vision of riding for days
together alone with his beloved seemed all glorious. Sitting there
beside the Muslim tomb, with the Emir talking to him like a brother in
the excitement of their common dream, he lost the thought of time, and
was surprised to see the fires of evening in the sky, and the shadows
of the two tall cypress-trees extending right across the sandy road.

"We must find out more about that place," said the Emir with a great
yawn as he rose and stretched himself. "We must make inquiries. Other
people must at least have heard of it.

"Oh, sir, I beg you not!" the son of Yacub cried in sudden terror.
"You bromised faithfully to keeb my secret!"

"Of course, you stupid!" came the laughing assurance. "We can make
inquiries without telling any one."

At the door of the hotel they found Elias waiting. He stood forth and
greeted the Emir quite unabashed, convulsed with laughter at the
latter's cold amazement.

"You thinkin' of that business in the garden? Neffer fear, sir! That
was all a dam' bad joke of that briest-fellow, Mitri--I'll be efen with
him yet, by Jingo!--all to pay me out because I neffer gif him nothing
when he bless my house. He is a funny man, sir--that briest is! He
makes me laugh fit to sblit with his awful silly jokes."

Yet while thus joyously ascribing his late discomfiture to the Orthodox
priest, his manner towards Iskender showed new deference, clearly
indicating that he saw the young man's hand in th