rses, as I have directed, and when to-morrow's sun has
risen, send by the hand of the dancing girl the message to your
betrothed within the zenana, bidding her to be prepared. An hour before
the zemindar's noontide council I will meet you, and, conducting you to
the vaults below the assembly hall with its three-and-thirty columns of
marble, will show you that particular column which, by the touching of a
hidden spring, will open a passage way whereby you can climb to the
zemindar's treasury. The door of that chamber you can open on the
inside, simply by pushing back the wooden bolt which serves as a lock
and answers only to a key on the other side. Let the maid be waiting
there at the appointed time for your coming. Now go, brother of my soul,
and make your preparations. Then sleep, for sleep is the best surety of
success when wakefulness and courage come to be required.'

"Next day shortly after the hour of noon, the zemindar was seated in
council. He was a big stout man, having waxed fat with age and
prosperity. His beard descended to his waist like the moss on an old
tree, and, above, his moon-like face surveyed complacently the circle of
courtiers, soldiers, and retainers. Petitions had been presented,
judgments had been spoken, and affairs of the day had been discussed,
and we, the few close counsellors who tarried, were only awaiting the
raised hand that would have bidden us go our several ways.

"'Where is Abdul?' of a sudden asked the zemindar, casting a glance of
inquiry around.

"'He has been smitten with a fever, my lord,' I answered, taking upon my
shoulders the burden of excuse, and telling no falsehood, for surely
love is the fiercest burning fever of all.

"'Ah, ha!' muttered the zemindar, in a guttural note of disappointment.
And there and then I saw him toying with a ruby ring, not worn upon one
of his fingers, but held lightly between his two hands.

"'Does anyone here know aught of this bauble?' he added, raising the gem
aloft.

"There were glances of inquiry from all around, then bows and gestures
and murmurs of disavowal. I alone remained irresponsive, for at that
very moment every fibre of my being was strained to nervous rigidity. My
senses were preternaturally at work. The marble column against which I
was leaning with seeming carelessness, vibrated under my hand. Within
its circular depths I could see Abdul descending stealthily and slowly,
his one free arm pressing a silken bundle to his