assistant third secretary.

The five volumes of the "Rise and Fall" were spread before
him, and Peter demanded to know why so distinguished a
scholar as Doctor Gilman had not received some recognition
from the country he had so sympathetically described. Osman
fingered the volumes doubtfully, and promised the matter
should be brought at once to the attention of the grand
vizier .

After he had departed Stetson explained that Osman had just
as little chance of getting within speaking distance of the
grand vizier as of the ladies of his harem.

"It's like Tammany," said Stetson; "there are sachems,
district leaders, and lieutenants. Each of them is entitled
to trade or give away a few of these decorations, just as
each district leader gets his percentage of jobs in the
streetcleaning department. This fellow will go to his patron,
his patron will go to some undersecretary in the cabinet, he
will put it up to a palace favorite, and they will divide
your money.

"In time the minister of foreign affairs will sign your
brevet and a hundred others, without knowing what he is
signing; then you cable me, and the Star of the Crescent will
burst upon the United States in a way that will make Halley's
comet look like a wax match."

The next day Stetson and the tutor sailed for home and Peter