he moorman and the
grooms, turning the mules into the quieter thoroughfare. There I had now
posted myself, and, while the shopkeepers ran up the street to see what
had befallen, the cavalcade under my directions, and with my attendants
at the animals' heads, hurried along, and as we threaded our way through
the maze of streets the tumult of voices soon died away behind us.

"After a little time I ventured to approach the curtained palankin.

"I spoke just loud enough to be heard by its occupant:

"'May your day, O queen, be peaceful! Your servant, most humble and
devoted, awaits your orders.'

"'Peace be to thee, O thou trustful and brave hakeem. Take me to the
protection of thy wife and home.'

"It was a soft, melodious woman's voice that had spoken, tremblingly,
imploringly, and yet withal in a tone of authority.

"'As thou hast commanded, so shall it be done,' was my brief reply.

"After a little time the cavalcade, without any undue attention being
attracted, had passed through the gateway of my home, and the doors had
been barred behind us.

"To my surprise a gallant youth, some twelve years of age, sprang
through the momentarily parted curtains of the palankeen.

"'I salute thee, O hakeem, our deliverer,' he exclaimed, kissing the hem
of my robe. 'My royal mother is in the palankeen, and craves for
sanctuary in your zenana.'

"'Let her pass,' I replied, and I urged the docile mules toward the
second archway that led to the women's courtyard.

"At my bidding the inner gates opened, and they closed again when the
palankeen had entered.

"'Within is sanctuary for your royal mother, and here is sanctuary for
yourself, O prince,' I continued, with a profound obeisance, for,
despite the modest garments he wore, I had recognized the eldest royal
son of the maharajah, whom I had seen several times in his father's
presence, and on one occasion at an affair of state clad in a robe of
honour of silk and gold brocade, festoons of jewels around his neck, and
a tiny sword with scabbard of gold girt at his side.

"Having once more impressed secrecy on my attendants, and bidding them
give admission to no one, I led my young guest into an inner reception
room. There, in a few concise sentences, he told me his story.

"A plot had been hatched in the royal zenana that, just so soon as the
maharajah died, this youth, and seven or eight younger brothers, sons of
other wives, should be slain, so that the undisputed succ