"And I heard your lordship in the coffee-house mention that the Sultan,
our sublime Master, had offered a rich reward to any one who could
effect the cure of a favourite captive."

"No less a reward than one hundred purses of gold," remarked the
eunuch. "The reward is proportioned to the exigency of the cue.
Believe me, worthy sir, it is desperate."

"With mortal means," replied the Armenian; "but I possess a talisman of
magical influence, which no disorder can resist. I would fain try its
efficacy."

"This is not the first talisman that has been offered us, worthy
doctor," said the eunuch, smiling incredulously.

"But the first that has been offered on these terms," said the
Armenian. "Let me cure the captive, and of the one hundred purses, a
moiety shall belong to yourself. Ay! so confident am I of success,
that I deem it no hazard to commence our contract by this surety." And
so saying, the Armenian took from his finger a gorgeous carbuncle, and
offered it to the eunuch. The worthy dependent of the Seraglio had a
great taste in jewellery. He examined the stone with admiration, and
placed it on his finger with complacency. "I require no inducements to
promote the interests of science, and the purposes of charity," said
the eunuch, with a patronising air. "'Tis assuredly a pretty stone,
and, as the memorial of an ingenious stranger, whom I respect, I shall,
with pleasure, retain it. You were saying something about a talisman.
Are you serious? I doubt not that there are means which might obtain
you the desired trial; but the Prince Mahomed is as violent when
displeased or disappointed as munificent when gratified. Cure this