rtment
across which a heavy curtain was suspended. After an interval of
waiting, the rustle of silken garments behind the purdah, followed by
the gentle sigh of a woman, told me that my patient had arrived. It was
the husband himself who bade her thrust her tongue through an orifice in
the curtain. My inspection of this member revealed no internal disorder,
and I requested from my master permission to touch the lady's hand so
that I might feel the pulsing of the blood in her veins. Not too
willingly he ordered her to push her arm through the opening.

"It was a dainty white hand, with many jewelled rings upon the taper
fingers, and the nails, as with all ladies of quality, dyed the deep
orange red of henna. Although I knew well that the jealously watchful
eyes of her lord were upon me, I made no hesitancy in encompassing the
wrist with my own fingers. But the little hand within mine was clenched
tight, and, the better to conduct my examination, I freed my fingers
from her wrist so as to straighten out hers as I required them. When I
attempted to do this, however, I was conscious of some resistance and
then of the presence of a small packet concealed in the palm of her
hand. With a flash of comprehension I knew that the package must be
intended to be conveyed to me surreptitiously, and, with no thought at
that critical moment of what the ulterior object might be, I aided the
act by a deft movement of my shoulder, which for a moment intercepted
the maharajah's gaze.

"In another second he could see my finger-tips lightly pressed on her
wrist, and her empty hand extended; but the package was safe in my other
hand, and not the quiver of a muscle on my face betrayed that anything
unusual had happened. Both to mask my feelings, and to give the lady
behind the curtain confidence that she could repose trust in my
discretion, I counted the pulse beats aloud.

"These indeed told me that the heart of my patient was beating at a mad
gallop, but this I divined was simply caused by the daring deed she had
essayed and successfully accomplished. I deemed it wise and prudent,
however, to announce that the lady was suffering from a fever, and that
I would send her a powder that would speedily restore her to good
health. At this the maharajah was sufficiently overjoyed to permit of my
withdrawal without obvious embarrassment. I had a smile upon my lips,
and the secret package secure in the folds of my girdle. A chuprassi
accompanied me