y swift reply. Is it
a guess, or hast thou obtained information?"

"I have heard of it from one who is our friend."

"Indeed. Well, thou art right as to Omar, and it is that which makes me
sad. Thou art right also in regard to Sidi Hassan, but I care little
for him. He is but a tool in the hands of one whose power is great--
Hamet, our Aga of cavalry. Omar I had hoped better things of; but fear
him not. The Aga, however, is a dangerous foe, and unscrupulous. I do
not clearly see my way to guard against his wiles. My chief safeguard
is that he and Omar are bitter enemies. I know not what to do."

"The bow-string," suggested Ashweesha.

The reader must not think this suggestion inconsistent with the
character of one whom we have described as gentle and sweet. The
Sultana had been trained in a peculiar school, and was as much
accustomed to hear of disagreeable and troublesome people being
strangled as Europeans are to the drowning of inconvenient kittens.

The Dey laughed.

"Alas! my gentle one," he said, "all powerful and despotic though I be,
there are a few officers around me whom I dare not get rid of in this
way--at least not just now. But it amuses me to hear thee recommend
such strong measures, thou who art always on the side of mercy."

"Truly," said Ashweesha, with a flash in her dark eyes that proved the
presence of other elements besides sweetness in her disposition, "my
leanings are always towards mercy, save when you have to deal with those
who possess no mercy. If you do not apply the bow-string to Hamet in
good time, rest assured that he will apply it to you."

The Dey became more serious at this, yet still smiled as he gazed in the
flushed countenance of his spouse and adviser.

"Thou art right, Ashweesha," said he, in a meditative tone, "and it is
for the purpose of finding out, if possible, when it is the right time
to strike that I now take counsel with thee. What wouldst thou advise?"

"Sidi Hassan, you say, has been sent to be the British consul's
janissary?"

"Yes."

"For what purpose?" asked the Sultana.

"Partly to keep him out of the way of the mischief which is always
brewing more or less in this warlike city; partly to flatter his vanity
by placing him in the service of one for whom he knows that I entertain
great respect, personally, as well as on account of the powerful nation
which he represents; and partly to remind him gently of my power to
order him on any servi