nd then, whispering amongst themselves, follow me at some
distance behind.

[Illustration]

"It could not be my clothing which was attracting all this attention,
for it was more or less of the same pattern to which they were
accustomed. I caught sight of myself in a polished steel mirror in one
of the shops in the Bazaar, and stole a glance at myself, but could see
nothing wrong. What could be the cause? I had not long to wait, however,
before I found out to my cost what was wrong.

"The crowd following me had increased in size, and at last two enormous
men in uniform came up and seized me by my arms, and I was immediately
surrounded by a throng of curious faces.

"'Where did you get that diamond?' demanded one of my captors, pointing
to my turban, in which, as you know, I always wear the jewel which the
Princess gave me.

"'Oh that! That was given to me many years ago by a friend--a
Princess--who has been dead now for many hundreds of years,' I said.

"'Many hundreds of years? And you say she was a friend of yours?'
exclaimed the man. 'Absurd!'

"'Preposterous!' declared the other. 'Look here! If you can't give us
some more reasonable explanation than that, we shall take you off at
once to the Chief Magistrate, and charge you with having stolen it.'

"'But why?' I gasped. 'Why should you think that I have stolen it?'

"'A diamond of exactly that size and colour has disappeared from amongst
the Crown jewels, and it strikes me very forcibly that this is the very
one.'

"It was in vain for me to protest. I was taken before the Magistrate,
and experts were called to examine the jewel.

"They weighed it and examined it carefully through powerful magnifying
glasses, and finally unanimously agreed that it was indeed the missing
jewel.

"I was closely cross-questioned as to how it came into my possession,
and also as to my movements during the past six months. My explanations
were considered most unsatisfactory, and no one would believe me;
consequently I was thrown into prison and condemned to death. It was
only by the most earnest pleading that I managed to gain time for you to
get here, as I assured them that you would be able to put everything
right, and explain matters to their entire satisfaction."

"I?" I stammered. "I am very, very sorry for you, my poor friend, and I
would do anything to help you, but what am I to say or do which will
convince them when you tell me that you have failed to do so?"

"I