The hands of this merchant, at the time I speak, were as my hands, or
thine," he held out his claws and snatched at the air as though it was
his enemy's throat. "For his boy, his assistant, the Christian Absalom,
who served him well, and whom Mhtoon Pah fed upon sweets from the
vendor's stall, was suddenly taken from him, and has vanished, like the
smoke of an opium pipe."

Shiraz expressed wonder, and agreed with Leh Shin that sorcery had been
used, shaking his head gravely and at length rising to his feet.

"The shadows lengthen and the hour of prayer draws near. It is time for
the follower of the Prophet to give a poor man's alms at the gate of the
Mosque, and to pray and praise," he said. "Thy assistant tarries, Leh
Shin; let him go forth with speed and place my purchase in thy keeping,
since I met thee in a happy hour, and shall return upon the morrow from
the _Serai_, where it is Allah's will that I pass the night in peace."

Walking with a slow, regular pace, he left the native quarter, and
taking a tram, got out on the road below the bungalow where Hartley's
servant waited in the veranda.

"Thy Sahib has cursed thy beard and thine age, and says that he will
replace thee with a younger man if thy dealings in the Bazaar are of
such long duration."

"Peace, owl," said Shiraz. "The Sahib can no more travel without my
assistance than a babe of one day without his mother. Presently, when
the Sahib has drunk a peg, he will return to reason."

"The Sahib is not within; he has but now gone out once more, asking