d English?"

"Oh yes," returned Mrs Langley, with a laugh. "I forgot that he was
absent when you arrived. You will find that he understands all you say
to him, though I'm not quite sure that you will understand all he says
to you. Like some of the other Moors here, he has been in the British
navy, and has acquired a knowledge of English. You'll find him a
pleasant companion, I doubt not. Be so good as to tell him that I wish
to see him before he leaves."

Obedient to the summons, Rais Ali quickly appeared. The interpreter was
a stout, tall, dignified man of about thirty-five, with a great deal of
self-assertion, and a dash of humour expressed in his countenance.

"Ali," said Mrs Langley, "you are aware that Sidi Omar is to be married
to-morrow. I have been invited to the wedding, but have stupidly
forgotten the hour at which I was asked to see the bride dressed. Will
you go to Sidi Omar, or some of his people, and find this out? Take the
sailor, Mr Flaggan, with you, and send him back with the information as
soon as possible."

"Yis, mum," replied the interpreter; "an' please, mum, I was want too,
tree days' leave of absins."

"No doubt Colonel Langley will readily grant your request. Have you
some particular business to transact, or do you merely desire a
holiday?"

"Bof," replied the Moor, with a mysterious smile. "I'se got finished
the partikler bizziness of bein' spliced yesterdays, an' I wants littil
holiday."

"Indeed," said Mrs Langley in surprise, "you have been very quiet about
it."

"Ho yis, wery quiet."

"Where is your bride, Ali? I should like so much to see her."

"Her's at 'ome, safe," said Rais Ali, touching a formidable key which
was stuck in his silken girdle.

"What! have you locked her up?"

"Yis--'bleeged to do so for keep her safe."

"Not alone, I hope?" said Mrs Langley.

"No, not 'lone. Her's got a bootiflul cat, an' I means buy her a little
nigger boy soon."

Having arranged that Mrs Langley was to visit his bride on her way to
Sidi Omar's wedding the following day, Rais Ali set out on his mission,
accompanied by Mr Flaggan.

The Irishman soon discovered that the Moor was a conceited coxcomb and a
barefaced boaster, and ere long began to suspect that he was an arrant
coward. He was, however, good-humoured and chatty, and Ted, being in
these respects like-minded, rather took a fancy to him, and slily
encouraged his weakness.

"Ye must have seed a power o' sarv