"Well, then, I shall redeem my pledge," said the prince

"But mind," said the physician, "while I engage to cure the lady and
produce the warrior, I can secure your highness neither the heart of
the one nor the head of the other."

"'Tis understood," said Mahomed.



CHAPTER 12


The Armenian physician did not fail to attend his captive patient at an
early hour on the ensuing morn. His patron Kaflis received him with an
encouraging smile.

"The talisman already works;" said the eunuch: "she has passed a good
night, and confesses to an improvement. Our purses are safe. Methinks
I already count the gold. But I say, worthy Hakim, come hither, come
hither," and Kaflis looked around to be sure that no one was within
hearing, "I say," and here he put on a very mysterious air indeed,
"the prince is generous; you understand? We go shares. We shall not
quarrel. I never yet repented patronizing a man of science, and I am
sure I never shall. The prince, you see, is violent, but generous. I
would not cure her too soon, eh?"

"You take a most discreet view of affairs," responded Iskander, with an
air of complete assent, and they entered the chamber of the tower.