of every power except that of his tongue. He was swearing savagely.

"Chunda Lal!" said Zara el-Khala again.
The Hindu shifted his grip from the neck to the arms of the Grand
Duke. He pinioned him as is done in _jiu-jitsu_ and forced him to
stand upright. It was a curious spectacle--the impotency of this burly
nobleman in the hands of his slight adversary. As they swayed to their
feet, I thought I saw the glint of metal in the right hand of the
Indian, but I could not be sure, for my attention was diverted. At
this moment Casimir appeared upon the scene, looking very frightened.

Suddenly releasing his hold altogether, the Hindu glaring into the
empurpled face of the Grand Duke, shot out one arm and pointed with a
quivering finger along the path.

"Go!" he said.

The Grand Duke clenched his fists, looked from face to face as if
calculating his chances, then shrugged his shoulders, very
deliberately wiped his neck and wrists, where the Indian had held him,
with a large silk handkerchief and threw the handkerchief on the
ground. I saw a speck of blood upon the silk. Without another glance
he walked away, Casimir following sheepishly. It is needless, perhaps,
to add that Casimir had not recognized me.

I turned to the dancer, touching the peak of my cap.

"Can I be of any assistance to mademoiselle?" I asked.

"Thank you--no," she replied.