am sure that he has concealed somewhere about him the five rupees
which have been stolen from me again to-day." On saying this, as if
he considered this information quite sufficient explanation, he again
caught hold of the black fellow, and with a single wrench tore the
turban from his head. From the white, red-bordered cloth a few pieces of
silver fell and rolled jingling over the tiles; and at the same time a
larger object fell at Heideck's feet. He picked it up and held in
his hand a gold cigarette-case, the lid of which was engraved with a
prince's coronet. On handing it to the stranger, the latter bowed his
thanks and made his apologies like a man of good breeding. The Indian
the while took the opportunity, in a few monkey-like bounds, to make
good his escape. The sight of the coat-of-arms on the cigarette-case
aroused in Heideck the desire to make nearer acquaintance with his
impetuous neighbour. As though he had quite forgotten the extraordinary
manner of his entrance into the room, he asked, blandly, if he might
invite his neighbour, whom accident had thus thrust upon him, to a cigar
and a "nightcap."

The other accepted the invitation with amiable alacrity. "You are also
a commercial traveller, sir?" inquired Heideck; and on receiving
an affirmative answer, continued, "we are then colleagues. Are you
satisfied with your results here?"

"Oh, things might be better. There is too much competition."

"Cotton?"

"No. Bronze goods and silk. Have brought some marvellous gold ornaments
from Delhi."