t. However, I should say we had better
consult him. If we were to bury them, say, under the floor of his
house, we might leave them there for a time. If we saw any chance of
this place being, someday, captured by our people, we could wait till
then for their recovery. But the war may not be renewed for years.
Possibly Pertaub may be able to arrange to send them down, only
entrusting a portion at a time to a messenger, so that, if he got into
trouble, we should only lose what he had upon him.

"We will put the caskets into our box, and lock it up for the present,
and take them down to Pertaub tomorrow evening, after it gets dark. It
will be as well to get them off our minds, as soon as possible, for
although just at present we are in high favour, there is no saying how
long it may last, or when it may be necessary for us to move."

Chapter 13: Officers Of The Palace.

The next morning, just as they had finished their early breakfast,
they were sent for by Fazli Ali.

"You had better accompany me on my rounds," he said. "I shall not
commit any special duties to you, until I see whether the sultan
intends that you shall remain with me, or whether, as is far more
likely, he assigns other work to you. Were you placed in separate
charges in the Palace, I should have to fill your places if you left.
Therefore I propose that, at present, you shall assist me in general
supervision.

"We will first go to the kitchens. These give me more trouble than any
other part of my duties. In the first place, one has to see that the
contractors do their work properly, that the number of carcases sent
in is correct, the flesh of good quality, and that the list of game is
correct. Then one has to check the amount of rice and other grain sent
in from the storehouses, the issue of spices, and other articles of
that kind. These matters do not require doing every day. The kitchen
officers are responsible for them, but once or twice a week I take
care to be present, to see that all is right. Then I ascertain that
everything is in good and proper order in the kitchen, listen to
complaints, and decide disputes.

"When we have done there, we will see that the requisitions from the
harem are properly complied with, and that the sweetmeats, perfumes,
silks, and muslins, as required, are furnished.

"The payment of salaries does not come into my department. That is one
of the functions of the treasurer of the Palace, who also discharges
al