hastily to the street, throwing off some of his brilliant apparel as he
ran, and snatching up a common burnous in which he enveloped himself.

Every avenue to the palace had been carefully secured by Sidi Hamet, but
it chanced that the one which Achmet selected was guarded by a young
soldier, towards whom at some previous time he had shown acts of
kindness.

On seeing the Dey hastening towards him the soldier lowered his musket,
but appeared undecided how to act. Achmet, at once taking advantage of
his hesitation, went boldly up to him, and reminding him of what he had
formerly done for him, attempted to bribe him with a magnificent diamond
ring; but the soldier refused the ring. Placing his left hand on his
eyes he said hurriedly--

"Your servant can neither hear nor see."

The Dey at once took the hint and passed on, but the delay proved fatal,
for a band of Janissaries who were traversing the narrow streets in
search of him came suddenly round a corner. Achmet instantly turned
back and fled, hotly pursued by the yelling soldiers. They were quickly
joined by others, and ere long a surging crowd followed the footsteps of
the fugitive as he darted from one to another of the intricate streets.
The Dey was a cool and courageous as well as an active man, and for some
time eluded his pursuers, whose very eagerness to take his life caused
them to thwart each other by getting jammed in several of the narrow
passages.

At last Achmet gained the entrance to the palace of his wives. The door
was already shut and secured, as well as guarded by two of the insurgent
janissaries. Rendered desperate and savage by the hopelessness of his
case, he cleft the skulls of these men with his sword, and was about to
dash himself violently against the strong door, in the vain hope of
bursting it open, when he was checked by hearing an appalling shriek
inside. Next moment the door was flung wide open, and his faithful wife
Ashweesha appeared with a dripping dagger in her hand.

No word was uttered, because none was needed. The Dey leaped in and
shut the door violently, just as his infuriated pursuers gained it,
while Ashweesha, with cool precision, shot in the heavy bolts, and let
down the ponderous bars.

Achmet sank exhausted on one of the couches of the vestibule, regardless
of the din which was made by the mob outside in their vain endeavours to
batter down the strong oaken door.

"Do not give way," said Ashweesha, fallin