make sure the coins were silver. "Are such things needed between me
and thee?"

He pulled out his silver watch--the gift of the wife of the missionary,
the excellent mother of George, which she had caused to be sent
expressly from the land of the English--and gazed long and pensively at
the face of it. Though he had risen later than his custom, deceived by
the darkness of the rain prolonging night, it wanted still an hour of
the Emir's waking. He said:

"His Honour is still in his chamber; he objects to be disturbed while
dressing. Nevertheless, since thy cause is urgent, I will crave an
audience."

"Our Lord reward thee," sobbed Elias gratefully.

Iskender repaired to the hotel kitchen, and spent some minutes talking
to the cook, who was his friend, before he returned and said:

"His Highness will not hear me. At mention of thy name he shut his
ears." Then, when Elias burst into a fit of weeping that seemed like
to strangle him, he added: "But he was in the act of bathing his whole
body, which he does daily in cold water. It may be that the coldness
of the water made him angry. After a little, I will try again."

"May Allah prolong thy life! From this day forth Elias is thy servant.
I will give thee my gold ring with the large carbuncle, if thou bring
this business to a good result."

After a decent interval, Iskender paid another visit to the kitchen
and, returning, said:

"He gave no answer to my knock, and I feared to enrage him by repeated
knocking. I will return presently."

Elias promised him a dagger of rare workmanship.

"He bade me go away, though not in anger," was the next report.

Elias promised him a pistol with jewelled mountings; and after that a
saddle with rich tassels, a holy book, some silver buttons, and a young
mare of the noblest desert breed. Thus time passed pleasantly, till
the sons of Musa emerged from their sleeping apartment. Iskender dare
not pursue the game with them about; but humbly presented Elias,
explaining the reason of his presence. They at once offered themselves
to plead the cause of the sufferer, who was a friend of theirs.

But the son of Yacub was beforehand with them. He sped straight to the
bedroom of the Frank, who by good luck was up and dressed, and informed
him of the penitence of Elias, begging forgiveness for that broken man.
The Emir consented with a laugh. Together they went down into the
hall, where Iskender presented the suppliant to hi