"Most rigid inquiries, excellency."

"And could learn nothing of the history of this beautiful slave?"
continued the Sultan.

"Nothing, excellency."

"It is very strange that no one can be found who knows aught about
her. Did you trace her back to those who sold her to the salesman of
the bazaar?"

"Yes, excellency, and two sales beyond that; but it seemed that
although so beautiful, the fact of her being dumb had caused her to
be very much undervalued, and she had passed through the hands of a
number of irresponsible slave merchants, who took but little heed of
her before she came to the bazaar."

"Doubtless, then, we may hardly expect to hear more concerning her."

"The reward you offered was munificent, excellency, but has brought
no response."

"You have not yet purchased for me those Georgians, good Mustapha,"
continued the monarch, after a few moments' pause, and probably
desiring to change a subject in which he felt that he was only too
much interested.

"Excellency, they are held at so high a price that I have refused to
pay it."