said he, "for I came here
conducting two young Englishman, of great distinction, who brought some
rich presents to his excellency."

One of the men went in, and brought out the tyrant.

To him the Irishman repeated his tale with an extravagant show of
respect and deference.

"Are these the two Franks?" demanded the Turk.

He gave the word as he spoke, and out from the seraglio marched Jack
and Harry Girdwood, their arms tightly bound to their sides, between a
strong escort of armed men.

"Yes, excellency," answered the Irishman.

"Then they have been there," returned the deputy-pasha; "you know what
that means?"

"They have erred through ignorance, your excellency."

"Then," replied the Turk, with vindictive significance, "within an hour
they will grow wiser. Away with them!"

And the prisoners were all marched away.

"Begorra," muttered the Irishman to himself, "it's all up."

But he never relaxed his efforts for all this.

"Pardon, O excellency," he said, "but these young gentlemen who have
offended through ignorance, being princes of the royal blood of
Britain, their continued absence will lead to inquiries, and----"

"They shall die like dogs if they are kings," growled the deputy-pasha.

"Let me entreat humbly that you wait the return of his excellency, for
these Franks are but savages, and the least slight, even to their
princes, would bring their ships of war along our coast; the town would
be razed to the ground."

"Ships of war!" responded the deputy-pasha.

"Yes, excellency," continued the Irishman, with a frightened air,
seeing the slight advantage he had got now, "the ship they came in is
now nearing the coast. It is well within range, with the cruel engines
of war these barbarians use. I tremble for the Konaki."

"They would never dare----"

"Pardon, they would dare any thing. The death of the two princes of the
blood royal would be the signal for the first shot, and then good-bye
to us all."

The deputy-pasha paused.

The Irishman eyed him askance.

"Begorra!" he muttered to himself, "that ought to be sthrong enough for
him. Them boys have made me tell enough lies in ten minutes to last a
Turk himself a lifetime. Be jabers, I've pitched it sthrong with a
purpose. He who hesitates is lost. He is thinking better of it."

The Irishman was right.

"I will reflect," said the Turk, with a dignified air; "I may not spare
their lives, but possibly await the return of his highness the