re were such a paper you would have it
with you. Show it me!" the Emir insisted.

Iskender appealed to Heaven against his lord's unreason. Was it likely
that his mother, to whom it of right belonged, would let so important a
document out of her own keeping? He had read it through and copied it,
but lost the copy yesterday, he knew not how. It was owing to that
loss that he had missed the way. His memory had played some devil's
trick to shame him. The sand at his feet, the plain, the rocks beside
him seemed all flame, reminding him poignantly of his vision of the
place of gold. The air upon his face and hands was the breath of an
oven, the sky a blackness overhead.

The Emir rose and walked towards his horse. The contemptuous movement
stung Iskender like a lash in the face. He clutched at his patron's
raiment, sobbing and blubbering, imploring forgiveness for his one
mistake. The Emir beat him off with his whip, and, springing into the
saddle, rode off slowly. Leading his own horse by the bridle, Iskender
followed after him, with piteous appeals. Nothing mattered save their
mutual affection. What was truthfulness as compared with human love?
Appalled by the prospect of life, if deprived of his lord's regard, he
put forward his limitless devotion as a claim for kindness, and fancied
that his friend was listening, not unmoved. It was with disappointment
that he heard again, in icy tones:

"You knew from the first that it was all a lie."

Nay, he protested, how could he be certain? He had not been alone in
declaring that the gold was there; Elias had said so too. Why should
he alone be made responsible?

The Emir deigned not so much as to look on his despair.

Returning thus across the plain, they met the mules. The driver's
mouth fell open at the Frank's command to turn back, just when they
were near the limit of that arid waste and all the beasts were tired.
It was some time before this man, Mahmud, had mind for aught beyond his
own complaints; but when at length he realised that Iskender, his good
friend, was in disgrace, he also made entreaty for his pardon. The
Emir, with him on one side and Iskender on the other, took alarm. He
laid his hand on the revolver at his belt, and commanded both to keep
their distance.

Mahmud with a shrug dropped behind, calling out to Iskender that it was
the sun, and asking Allah to restore the poor khawajah; but Iskender
still adhered to his beloved lord, wishi